Karen Biko’s Gallery of Art

Bring the family out for a day of fun in Ramsay!  Entertainment, soccer games, local artisans, and food vendors.

June 20th

12 – 5pm

At the Ramsay School Ground

I will have a new selection of my dried plant works, cards, handmade books, and a small selection of paintings for sale.

Entertainment includes:

• InFUNKstigation
• John Rutherford and the legislative assembly
• The Bobby Kork Orchestra
• Magnolia Buckskin

Technorati Tags: Art show, Arthouse; Art Sale, creative ideas, Karen Biko

I will have a few pieces on display with the Riverview Group for our spring sale at TransCanada.

All the pieces I will be showing are new, so come take a look.  Still working on my Insomnia piece, so we will see if I get it completed for this sale.  This might be the last show until the end of summer. –that is unless someone else can find a venue for me!!

May 31st to June 4th

TransCanada Building Plus 15

450 – 1st Street S.W.

I will be sitting the show on Monday mid-day, and Thursday Afternoon.

Riverview Website

Technorati Tags: Art show, Calgary Art, Contemporary Art, contemporary artwork, Riverview Artists; Artist Group, TransCanada, TransCanada Show

The other night I woke up with inspiration in my mind…I was so compelled by this new painting idea,  I got out of bed at 2am and went down to my studio.  Generally my paintings come together a little at a time.  I will work on a piece, set it aside until I decide the next step that is required.  Not this one.

I have a clear vision about what needs to happen next, and as I add layers, I am impatient while I wait for them to dry.  Today I took a big step forward, and am so excited with the results I thought I would give you a sneak peak at the work so far.

I hope to have this one completed for the upcoming TransCanada Show the first week of June…  I will post updates as it grows.

Technorati Tags: contemporary artwork, creative ideas, Karen Biko

It’s crazy right now, but I will give you an update on what is going on….

Riverview Art show at Sunlife Plaza

May 3rd to 7th

140 – 4th Ave. S.W.

Riverview Artists Page

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Declutter Challenge

Not only am I decluttering my own house, I’ve invited everyone in world to do it with me.

31 Days to Declutter Challenge

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Jazzercise

Oh, and I’m subbing all over Calgary this week, next week, and the week after.  Not only am I teaching a class every day (except weekends – thank goodness) but some days I’m teaching two classes!  So hopefully I’ll be buff and not just a big limp noodle by the end.

Karen’s Jazzed Page

Do I like to be busy?  Hmmmm, you’d think so……

This is my first commissioned work.  Happily completed, and will be hanging it on Wednesday.

Technorati Tags: Commissioned art, contemporary artwork

Now I need some opinions.  I have this painting that I’ve started, and was planning on doing more to it…but Bill thinks it’s done, and is telling me not to touch it.  So I thought maybe it would be fun to get some opinions from all you readers….

So here it is.  I’ve put a pole on the side of the page, so let me know if you think I’m done or if I should go for it on this one!!

This painting is 4 feet square, so it’s a big’un….

click on the image to see it bigger.

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I’m very excited to be a part of the newest Riverview Artists’ Nexen Art Show!  This building has sentimental history for me as I worked there with Nova several years ago.  In my opinion it is the best building downtown.

The show will run from March 8th to March 12th.

Another exciting development is my newest painting is completed and will be in the show.  It is the largest work I’ve done, but the Nexen building has a great wall for me to display on.

At 4ft x 5ft “Coming Together” is a mix of many of the styles and techniques I’ve been working with over the last couple of years.  It is bright and bold and I am so pleased to have a place to display it.

For more information on the Riverview show click on the link below.

Riverview Artists Website

Technorati Tags: Art show, Calgary Art, contemporary artwork, Karen Biko, Riverview Artists

I finally realize the impact Bruce Head has had on so many people.  I’ve known Bruce all my life, and I’ve always loved his work, this last week though, really brought Bruce the Artist forward.  While his work certainly has always been important to me, this week I learned so much more about Bruce himself during his memorial.

There was support from all areas that stepped up to make his memorial evening a success.  The Winnipeg Art Gallery not only gave up space to hold the event, but Stephen Borys, Director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, came and spoke about his experiences with Bruce.  He talked about Bruce’s collection of work as “a lesson in Canadian history” and a “tremendous gift to our community”.  People had come forward and designed, printed, folded, and stitched the programs for the evening.  Others donated the paper, and the result was the evening was a shining success honoring an amazing man.

The gallery became a celebration of Bruce and his work. Throughout the building, many of his paintings were on display, as well as a large selection of pieces for sale.  In one area we put together a table that gave attendees an insight into how Bruce worked, which showed his paints, his tools, his perpetually cold mug of coffee, and a half eaten peanut butter cup.

As I sat in my seat and got ready to stand in front of a crowd of people and pour my heart out, my hands felt sticky, and my breath became short.  I followed in the steps of people who were obviously more familiar with speaking than I, but I had a message. I listened to their stories, and how easily they seemed to deliver them to the audience.  Finally it was my turn.

Thankfully, I was able to steady myself, keep focused, and complete what I feel was one of the most important presentations I’ve ever done.  Yes I did stumble, and yes my voice did crack, but I managed through it down to the last barely audible “Thank you so much Bruce.”

After I sat down again, I could finally let the emotions go as I listened to words from Bruce’s family.  Glenn, Grant, Toni & Tara, and Judy.  Again, more stories, more tales of Bruce and more words of appreciation for everyone who came to pay tribute to the Man.

At the reception, I was approached by many family and friends assuring me that my speech was very good.  Even Stephen Borys came up and spoke to me and thanked me for mentioning the WAG on my blog. To think the director of the WAG had read a post on my blog or was even aware of it!

At one point, I was speaking to a couple of young girls, neighbors of Bruce’s and they asked me if I was the one who painted with the Q-tips.  I said yes, but that I wasn’t the only one and there was another artist that Bruce would have been talking about.  As we talked longer they suddenly pointed at me and exclaimed “you are the one!!”  I had mentioned something that Bruce must have passed on to them, I was thrilled.  At that moment a realization hit me that Bruce appreciated my work and was proud of me.

As the evening came to a close I started to pack up the workbench that Judy and I had put together.  I gathered all his paints, his coffee cup, his paintings, his hand-made tools and boxed them to take home to his studio.  I turned out the lamp with a sense of finality.

But even though the evening is over, my journey into Bruce is continuing.  I was so fortunate to be able to spend time in Bruce’s studio.  I spent many hours in there looking at his paintings, searching through his tools, pouring over sketchbooks and mountains of works – some complete, some not.  It only seems right that I share what Bruce shared with me.  I will post in my inspiration section with pictures and thoughts from his studio.

Winnipeg Free Press Article

Technorati Tags: Bruce Head, Contemporary Art, Winnipeg Art Gallery

Bruce’s family have given me a great honor by asking me t speak at his memorial service in Winnipeg.  I will be flying out on February 9th to speak at his memorial on February 10th at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Technorati Tags: Bruce Head, Winnipeg Art Gallery

My first show for 2010 starts off with a bang.  Back at the TransCanada building.  I have some new pieces that have not made it on to the site yet.  come and take a look.

January 25th to 29th.  I will be sitting there on Monday afternoon, and Thursday afternoon.  But come by any time.

TransCanada Building

450 – 1st Street S.W.

Click on Riverview TCPL Show to see more details

Technorati Tags: Riverview Artists, TransCanada, TransCanada Show