Artist Statement
Three artists at this venue
Karen Heywood Dip AD, FSRA
Karen studied Graphic Design at Stockport College, followed by Leicester College of Art where she completed a Diploma course and won a competition run by the Royal Society of Arts. She then went on to work in London as a designer and illustrator.
In 1973 Karen moved to Hamburg, Germany, where she became a freelance illustrator for top women's magazines, and a full-time cut-out animator for Berlin TV.
On returning to England, Karen joined Glossop Art Society. It was during this time that she had her first picture book, 'The Wild Man of the Four Winds', published by Hamish Hamilton. This opportunity led her to illustrate over 50 books for various publishers.
In 1978 she was employed by Cosgrove Hall Films, working on programmes such as Rainbow, Dangermouse and the BFG.
Following redundancy in the early 90's, Karen applied to The University of Sheffield to study Art Psychotherapy. It was whilst observing patients create their artwork that she decided to become a fine artist.
Her first studio was based at Vernon Mill in Stockport where she painted for 12 years. She now works from her Brook Street studio in Glossop.
Karen paints in a variety of media, depending on the subject. Her main interest lies in figurative work but she also enjoys landscape painting and working from her imagination. She is currently focussed on studies of local people.
Karen has exhibited at Buxton and Stockport Art Galleries, as well as Urbis, the Portico, and the Buy Art Fair in Manchester.
