Welcome to the Country Gardens Studio where I paint, write and garden. The paintings that are displayed in my home gallery and studio where I work can often be seen in group shows in Vancouver, Nanaimo and Qualicum. I have writeen and illustrated two new books this year, "Across a Prairie Sky" and "Ronald and Donald."
Outstanding year for local artist 0
BY ROBERT GUNN ON DECEMBER 8, 2015FICTION, IN PRINTBy Meg ScoffieldKaren Poirier is a Port Alberni artist who is not content to excel in just one discipline. Painting, writing, creating a beautiful garden – she does it all.
This year she has been awarded associate status in the Federation of Canadian Artists, allowing her to use the AFCA designation after her signature. A fine watercolorist, she is constantly trying out new ideas and venturing into other mediums, including oils and silk.
Somehow she has also found time to write and self-publish two books: one a young adult novel titled Across a Prairie Sky; the other a children’s book, Ronald and Donald. For the first she did the cover design. Her illustrations for the rhyming story of the two kittens will appeal to the pre-school audience it is aimed at, as will the magically-detailed borders.
Karen has woven her debut novel around her mother’s tales of her early years on a Manitoba homestead. This, however, is a work of fiction about a young girl and her beloved horse.
As for this new venture, Karen gives credit to Derek Hanebury of North Island College for his encouragement and support in creative writing classes.
I first got to know Karen well when she approached me, in the mid 80’s, about teaching after-school art classes at the Rollin Art Centre, where I was administrator. This was the perfect opportunity to set up a structured drawing and painting program for students eight years and over. Karen’s teaching of sound drawing skills produced excellent results, with a number of her pupils coming back year after year. We retired together in 1996 happy that our vision was realized.
Karen’s books are available at Rollin Art Center and Blue Fish Gallery, or from her via her web site, or on-line from Friesen’s book store and Chapters. Karen’s web site is www.karenepoirier.com
BY ROBERT GUNN ON DECEMBER 8, 2015FICTION, IN PRINTBy Meg ScoffieldKaren Poirier is a Port Alberni artist who is not content to excel in just one discipline. Painting, writing, creating a beautiful garden – she does it all.
This year she has been awarded associate status in the Federation of Canadian Artists, allowing her to use the AFCA designation after her signature. A fine watercolorist, she is constantly trying out new ideas and venturing into other mediums, including oils and silk.
Somehow she has also found time to write and self-publish two books: one a young adult novel titled Across a Prairie Sky; the other a children’s book, Ronald and Donald. For the first she did the cover design. Her illustrations for the rhyming story of the two kittens will appeal to the pre-school audience it is aimed at, as will the magically-detailed borders.
Karen has woven her debut novel around her mother’s tales of her early years on a Manitoba homestead. This, however, is a work of fiction about a young girl and her beloved horse.
As for this new venture, Karen gives credit to Derek Hanebury of North Island College for his encouragement and support in creative writing classes.
I first got to know Karen well when she approached me, in the mid 80’s, about teaching after-school art classes at the Rollin Art Centre, where I was administrator. This was the perfect opportunity to set up a structured drawing and painting program for students eight years and over. Karen’s teaching of sound drawing skills produced excellent results, with a number of her pupils coming back year after year. We retired together in 1996 happy that our vision was realized.
Karen’s books are available at Rollin Art Center and Blue Fish Gallery, or from her via her web site, or on-line from Friesen’s book store and Chapters. Karen’s web site is www.karenepoirier.com