Karen Goodfellow CFA
Artist Bio
Born in 1960 in Vancouver to a First Nations mother (grandmother is Squamish First Nations and great grand-daughter of Chief Joe & Mary Capilano) and Austrian father (with Romani lineage), Goodfellow has developed an award-winning contemporary aboriginal style.
Her art started seriously in her 40’s when she lived in the American Southwest which heavily influences her work to this day. She has several hundred two and three dimensional pieces including paintings, mannequins, assemblages, drums, gourds, and tambourines. She has her Certificate in Fine Art from the Emily Carr University of Art & Design. She currently hangs in Nk’ Mip Winery Gallery (Osoyoos) and Springbrooke Retreat Centre (Langley) with annual or bi-annual shows throughout western Canada since 2000.
In the long-running annual Peace Hills Trust National Bank’s First Nations Artist contest she placed 1st in 2013 (with over 160 entries), 2nd in 2007, and an Honourable Mention in 2011 (which became their Christmas Cards that year).
She currently resides on 12 acres halfway up Anarchist Mountain in Osoyoos with her partner and big horn sheep.
Artist Statement
My art is a personal exploration and healing into my mixed heritage. Its tangible form allows me to be curious and see things differently. I hope to connect with viewers of mixed cultures and increase feelings of sameness with those who don’t. My intention is for viewers to experience an emotion difficult for them to access on their own: timelessness, wonder, wistfulness or self-reflective.
I have no idea what the final subject matter will be. I work up a background of paints, mediums, and found treasures (often up to 16 layers). I wait hours or even years until this background reveals itself with minimal interference. I then chalk the image in then paint it. I’m fascinated by the process of bringing the formless into form in this trusting fashion.
Education
- Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design (Certificate in Fine Arts 2006)
- Multiple individual courses and weeklong workshops
Awards
- 1st Place 31st Annual Peace Hills Trust Native Artist Contest (of 164 entries) 2013
- 2nd Place 25th Annual Peace Hills Trust Native Artist Contest 2007
- Honourable Mention 33rd Annual Peace Hills Trust Native Artist Contest 2011
Corporate & Private Collections
- Peace Hills Trust (Edmonton)
- Small business offices (BC & USA)
- Private collections in Canada, USA, Holland, UK, Singapore
Multi-Media Publications, Press & Video
Art Instruction
- Bemis School of Art (at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Centre) teacher 1998-2001 (several courses per semestre)
- Multiple Art workshops (Dialogue of the Heart, Painting-Palooza, Bond & Beyond for Families, Art 'n Spirit, etc.)
- Private Painting & Potluck Parties
Associations
Past member:
International Society of Experimental Arts
Burnaby Artists Guild
Rocky Mountain Artists Society (Colorado)
