Karen Kawarsky (b. 1971) is a Canadian Abstract Painter and Interior Designer based in Toronto. Creativity has always been at the centre of her life, whether painting in her studio or designing residential interiors.
Influenced by painters such as Monet, Gerhard Richter, and Jean-Paul Riopelle, alongside modernist architects Louis Kahn, Le Corbusier, and Alvar Aalto, Karen draws inspiration from both art and architecture. Her work reflects an appreciation for organic form, tactile materials, and architectural simplicity, balancing structure with a sense of freedom and expression.
For Karen, art and design are two expressions of the same creative vision.
Karen Kawarsky creates bold yet balanced abstract landscapes and non-representational works. Working primarily on wood panels, she builds rich, layered surfaces using oil, acrylic paints, coloured chalk and moulding paste.
Texture plays an integral role in Karen’s work. Layers of material build upon one another, bringing depth and movement to each composition while allowing the work to unfold naturally and intuitively.
Karen’s work has been honoured in solo and group exhibitions, American and Canadian Magazines, displayed in galleries, and appears in many private collections internationally such as Los Angeles, Bermuda, Vancouver, Hong Kong, and London.
__________________________________________________
ARTIST C.V.
Art Fairs
2026 Riverdale Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
2026 The Artist Project, Toronto, Canada
2025 Artwalk In The Square, Toronto, Canada
2025 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
2025 Riverdale Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
2024 Artwalk In The Square, Toronto, Canada
2023 Rosedale Art Fair Toronto, Canada
2023 Artwalk In The Square, Toronto, Canada
2015 The Artist Project Toronto, Canada
2014 The Artist Project Toronto, Canada
2013 The Artist Project Toronto, Canada
2012 The Artist Project Toronto, Canada
2010 The Distillery Art Show Toronto, Canada
2009 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Toronto, Canada
Solo Exhibitions
2012 It Looks The Same, Alison Milne Gallery Toronto, Canada
2010 A Broader Meaning, The Art Gallery of Hamilton Hamilton, Canada
2010 Distinction, The Spoke Club Toronto, Canada
2010 Into the Red, Art Square Gallery Toronto, Canada
2009 Entropy, The Great Hall Toronto, Canada
2008 Forward, The Great Hall Gallery Toronto, Canada
2006 Rising, Czehoski Gallery Toronto, Canada
2005 New Beginnings, O'my Gallery Toronto, Canada
Group Exhibitions
2011 Alison Milne Gallery Toronto, Canada
2010 Whistler Village Arts Gallery Winter Olympic Show Whistler, British Columbia
2009 The Art Gallery of Hamilton Hamilton, Canada
2008 Whistler Village Arts Gallery Whistler, British Columbia
2008 Engine Gallery Toronto, Canada
2007 Engine Gallery Toronto, Canada
2006 Grace Gallery Toronto, Canada
2005 Fashion Cares, Toronto, Canada
2004 Virgin Thread Market Bemused Inc. Toronto, Canada
2003 Virgin Thread Market Bemused Inc. Toronto, Canada
Editorials:
2024 House and Home Magazine, Artwork featured in Toronto residential home
2023 HGTV Magazine - " Here's The Story", - Artwork featured in California residential home
2022 National Post - "From Dumpy to Dashing", - Artwork featured in Toronto residential home
2019 Luxe Magazine - "The Handmade Tale", Artwork featured in California residential home
2015 House and Home Magazine, Artwork featured in Toronto residential home
2013 Steven and Chris - "How to Renovate your home with Art", Artwork
featured
Education:
1990-1993 York University Toronto, Canada - Sociology Major
2001 OCAD Toronto, Canada - Life Drawing, Winter Program
2001 Sheridan College Toronto, Canada -Photography, Summer Program