Karen Brownlee
BA, ASA
Biography
Karen’s “Rural Prairie Communities” featured the grain elevator’s presence in hamlets, towns, and villages. This series was widely exhibited throughout Alberta and was the subject of the province’s centennial “Alberta Remembers, Recalling Our Rural Roots”, published by Red Deer Press. ISBN #0-88995-325-2
Her Asian series, highlighted the story of Japanese picture brides in “The Sakura Tree” published by Red Deer Press ISBN # 978-0-88995-354-3. The Sakura Tree paintings were exhibited in Alberta, B.C., and Ottawa (at 2 Sussex Drive addresses). Karen was permitted to use the 80th Anniversary of Japan Canada Diplomatic Relations Logo for The Sakura Tree Exhibit at the Embassy of Japan I Ottawa and the National Japanese Canadian Museum (Burnaby, B.C.) exhibit.
In 2010 Karen was invited to be the Feature Artist for the Western Showcase, Calgary Stampede.
Selected Public Collections include: Canada Hall, The Canadian Museum of Civilisation, AFA, U. of L., and Japanese Canadian Cultural Centres Collections.
Artist Statement
Karen’s artwork focuses on aspects of Alberta’s rural cultural history. Her career spans forty years including art education and being a full time practicing artist. Karen has primarily worked in watercolor and collage. She is presently allotting her full time arts practice to the development of The Hutterian Brethren series.
Brownlee_Karen_Dad-Jake-and-Jack-Whoop-up-Parade-1
© Karen M. Brownlee Dad, Jake and Jack Whoop Up Parade
Brownlee_Karen_Logan-and-2-cowboys
© Karen M. Brownlee Logan and 2 Cowboys