Rosa

While creating Rosa I used a combination of techniques by Delaunay, Frida Kahlo and Pre Raphaelite themes, I feel that the colour palette I used is most suited to where I am going with this theme. The relatively small, thin visible brush strokes and use of broken colour to create the illusion of depth and movement gave emphasis on accurate depiction of light . I enjoyed using different tools and materials making abstract marks and experiments with the qualities of the paint, and the accidental textures produced, finds natural patterns that can become the basis of more developed decorative elements that I’ve been searching for. The butterfly is symbolic for freedom of mind and body, and represents transformation and the butterfly is the the symbol of rebirth.

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Karen Christine Greaves is a Contemporary Artist. She was born
in Durban, South Africa in 1968.
Graduating and majoring in Fine Arts and Visual Culture at Curtin
University in 2022, Karen lives and works from her home studio in
Dawesville, Western Australia.
In 1995 she worked as an artist in Guildford Surrey, UK where she
met her Australian husband. She moved to Australia in 1996,
married in 1998, and became an Australian citizen in 2002.
Karen runs an Art school, teaching after-school art, and adult
recreational classes. She draws her artistic inspiration from the
natural world and applies a variety of themes which include
mythology, esotericism, transformation, and metamorphosis,
creating human/nature hybrid forms in her body of work.
She has always been inspired by Frida Kahlo and Gustav Klimt as
she can relate to their painting style and compositions. On a
contemporary note, Del Kathryn Barton has been a huge
inspiration to her, with her whimsical style, extensive markmaking
and elaborate detailed works. Karen also appreciates
Alyssa Monks’ work on how she skillfully merges the human body
into nature.
Over the years Karen has participated in a couple of group
exhibitions and Art Awards. The most significant being The Doug
Moran National Portrait Prize established in 1988 which has
become the country’s most prestigious art prize.
In 2000, Karen was selected as one of the thirty finalists. The
finalist portraits were displayed during the Sydney Olympic
Games and were part of a travelling exhibition around Australia
for two years, being showcased in all the major galleries. This
Prize was held biannually and has now changed to an annual art
event.
Upon graduating, Karen has completed a body of works and would
love to receive representation from a gallery to hold a solo
exhibition.