Landscape Artist in Pastel and Watercolour

Karen Spurrell is a Canadian landscape artist located in Southern Alberta, primarily self-taught and predominantly starting out as a watercolorist, her art work over the years has transitioned into using mainly pastels. She has been painting and drawing for as long as she can remember and with the support of her family and teachers her art blossomed. Big open prairie sky and farm land have been a large influence in her art work, having grown up in a farming community in Northern Saskatchewan, these themes often developed within her work. Once adult she moved to Southern Alberta where her art was put on hold due to a growing career, however when not at work, her love for the mountains and foothills began to emerge within her paintings. It was not until recently in 2022, that she decided after many years of weekend painting, it was now time to allow herself to devote all her days to her artistic pursuits. Karen works mainly in both soft and oil pastels when creating her landscapes. She loves the vibrancy of the pastel pigments and the wonderful versatility of the pastel sticks. Her painting style with pastels can be described as realism however some of her paintings in this medium are created in an impressionistic form. When not working with pastels, her watercolor paintings are purely impressionistic in approach and can border on the abstract. Karen’s passion has always been within the visual arts and she tries to find time to create and enjoy it as much as possible.

On her journey of art, as a teen, Karen was successful in publishing numerous drawings and poetry in publications such as The Western Producer YCC and Windscript. Additionally in later years, she actively attended and participated in art classes in and around her community as well completed a diploma in Print Management at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Over the years Karen has participated in juried art shows in both Saskatchewan and Alberta which has helped to develop her artistic skills. She is continually looking for ways to learn and grow as an artist.

Exhibitions

2019

Purely Pastel Juried Art show
Pastel Artists of Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

2009

"This is who I am" Juried Art show
CNP Public Art Gallery, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta

2008

"It’s not what but how" Juried Art show
CNP Public Art Gallery, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta

1993

Prince Albert Winter Festival Juried Art Show
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

1992

Saskatchewan Summer Games Art show and Sale
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

1991