Karen Backus Artist Statement

Karen Backus grew up on a property in Northern NSW. After finishing high school in Brisbane she worked and studied in the Agricultural world for the next 4 years. Karen then went on to complete a Bachelor of Visual Arts, majoring in drawing and printmaking at USQ, Toowoomba. Karen has taught Fine Arts at TAFE. She has also worked with the Boggabilla and Toomelah Aboriginal communities to develop and manage the Euraba Paper Company, which produced high quality paper, artworks, art cards and stationery. Karen has also run art workshops in primary schools.

Karen is based on a property outside of North Star in Northern NSW and also at Ashmore, QLD. She currently creates and sells handmade ceramic pieces, original drawings, watercolour and acrylic paintings. Karen also sells art cards, tea towels and limited edition prints of her works.

Karen finds joy in pattern. Found objects from the everyday are put on centre stage, they are celebrated as heroes that tell a story of the familiar.