Karen Garry | Knox Vancouver

KnoxVan Events is very pleased to welcome Karen Garry to our Visual Art Salon – Curated and Curious. Karen introduces us to her new story book, LEROY. In the video interview below conducted by events co-coordinator Tracy Chernaske, Karen details how she created the needle felted characters featured, wrote the story (which is actually for kidadults) drew and painted all the illustrations and oh yes – she self published it too!

Leroy

Heart Shaped Rawk leads you through a lyrical landscape in this richly painted tale of the life of a lion. Each page composed with heart, rendered by hand.

Artist’s Statement:

Heart Shaped Rawk was founded in 2016 by artist Karen Garry with the desire to make cute collectibles that are environmentally sound and to tell compassionate stories that warm the heart of every kidault. Full of critical thought, philosophical musings and colourful masterpieces, Heart Shaped Rawk Books allow the reader to escapade in a locally printed and lovingly painted world where needle felted and illustrated characters set out to prove that anything is possible if you just follow your heart.

Heart Shaped Rawk, shaping the world of tomorrow, into a peaceful and bountiful wonderland, today, one story at a time. Leroy is the first of a six book series. Inspired by the natural beauty of both the flora and fauna found in and around British Columbia, native Vancouverite, Karen Garry, lovingly designs, draws, crafts and paints her hand made art work out of her “home,” be it in her home studio or in a sunny spot outside where she can make use of all the wonderful natural models, bask in the fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun on her skin while conversing with all the little animals and insects that call B.C home.

If you’re out and about on Commercial Drive in East Vancouver, pop into the Britannia Library during the month of September to see some of the art! Fiber sculpture and some of the original watercolour paintings that grace the pages of the book Leroy, are on display along with some heart rocks made by mother nature. Check out the illustrations, then pick up some reading material. Win win!