Cartoon Network: Karen Barbour

Inverness, California artist Karen Barbour paints a rich narrative that introduces a world comprised of dreamlike shapes and color assembled edge to edge. (Top Right Green Mushroom House—In Progress).

At first sight, Karen’s compositions appear dense, leaving no space between background and foreground, often layering her subjects hidden within the illustrative texture. Karen’s language might be described as dreamy, poetic, conversational and thoughtful. Organic shapes dance, as the landscape is revealed with thoughtful sensitivity to relationships visually exchanged between protagonists.

Karen Barbour is one of the featured artists in the upcoming Cartoon Network 20^th Anniversary Art Exhibition premiering during Comic-Con in San Diego July 12—15, 2012. (Candy Castle (L), Windows, Balloons, etc. (R)).

Karen has been featured in many exhibitions over the years and it’s with honor and creative exchange that we present a few of her latest sketches created for this year’s exhibition featuring her interpretation of “AdventureTime.” To see more of Karen Barbour’s artistry, please click here. Check out Karen’s studio tour here, additional featured artists here, mini zine sketches, exhibition information here.

The Artist Studio and Quick Tour : CN20Anniversary

One of the greatest privileges in my life has been to take time out (often) and visit artists’ studios all around the world. Books wall to wall, boxes of supplies, metal trays with years worth of dried paint dabs, libraries of books, curiosities, a who’s who of artist works, scraps of material, stacks of paintings/drawings/clippings/and just stacks of stuff. (Above, NEKO)

“You get the idea, Right?” I love it. And to get you pumped up for the premier of Cartoon Network’s 20^th Anniversary Exhibition, to be unveiled at Comic-Con in San Diego July 12—15, 2012, I thought to share a picto-tour of some of the 75 artists featured. Save the date and more information shared soon. Enjoy. (Above, Karen Barbour)