Karen Taylor
@karentaylorart.bsky.social
Toronto-based Scottish scribbler WLTM art lovers. NS, GSOH, geeky. Enjoys music, food & excellent mugs of tea.
www.KarenTaylorArt.com
www.KarenTaylorArt.com
It's #nationalampersandday today!
The ampersand is my favourite character. You can find this one hanging at Black Canary coffee in Kingston Road.
The ampersand is my favourite character. You can find this one hanging at Black Canary coffee in Kingston Road.
September 8, 2025 at 8:56 PM
It's #nationalampersandday today!
The ampersand is my favourite character. You can find this one hanging at Black Canary coffee in Kingston Road.
The ampersand is my favourite character. You can find this one hanging at Black Canary coffee in Kingston Road.
Another piece from my new series: "I can fit in that packaging".
#oversizedpackaging #buycanadian #shoplocal
#oversizedpackaging #buycanadian #shoplocal
September 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Another piece from my new series: "I can fit in that packaging".
#oversizedpackaging #buycanadian #shoplocal
#oversizedpackaging #buycanadian #shoplocal
I don't think the box needed to be that big. #oversizedpackaging #onlineshopping
September 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I don't think the box needed to be that big. #oversizedpackaging #onlineshopping
Here's the painting of sorrel cells based on the microscope photo I showed you recently.
"Sorrel"
12" diameter
acrylic and graphite on birch panel
magnification x170
stain: orange
"Sorrel"
12" diameter
acrylic and graphite on birch panel
magnification x170
stain: orange
August 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Here's the painting of sorrel cells based on the microscope photo I showed you recently.
"Sorrel"
12" diameter
acrylic and graphite on birch panel
magnification x170
stain: orange
"Sorrel"
12" diameter
acrylic and graphite on birch panel
magnification x170
stain: orange
These sorrel cells have an ethereal look, cells floating in a golden glow.
Using a potato peeler means thicker samples, leading to interesting effects. They can curl instead of lying flat. I could only focus on a few lines of cells at a time, the others blurry from being closer or further away.
Using a potato peeler means thicker samples, leading to interesting effects. They can curl instead of lying flat. I could only focus on a few lines of cells at a time, the others blurry from being closer or further away.
August 13, 2025 at 1:56 PM
These sorrel cells have an ethereal look, cells floating in a golden glow.
Using a potato peeler means thicker samples, leading to interesting effects. They can curl instead of lying flat. I could only focus on a few lines of cells at a time, the others blurry from being closer or further away.
Using a potato peeler means thicker samples, leading to interesting effects. They can curl instead of lying flat. I could only focus on a few lines of cells at a time, the others blurry from being closer or further away.
I'm proud to be taking part in the Dignam Gallery's 4th Annual Uptown Pride show.
My painting will be there alongside work by Charles Pachter, and studio mate @robcroxford.bsky.social
Unfortunately I'll miss this weekend's opening, but I'm looking forward to visiting next week.
My painting will be there alongside work by Charles Pachter, and studio mate @robcroxford.bsky.social
Unfortunately I'll miss this weekend's opening, but I'm looking forward to visiting next week.
June 18, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I'm proud to be taking part in the Dignam Gallery's 4th Annual Uptown Pride show.
My painting will be there alongside work by Charles Pachter, and studio mate @robcroxford.bsky.social
Unfortunately I'll miss this weekend's opening, but I'm looking forward to visiting next week.
My painting will be there alongside work by Charles Pachter, and studio mate @robcroxford.bsky.social
Unfortunately I'll miss this weekend's opening, but I'm looking forward to visiting next week.
Wow, what a weekend!
Thanks to everyone who came out to see my new work, and were just as excited about playing with microscopes as I am.
I'm humbled that so many of you chose to take one of my pieces home with you. This is my 19th time at this show, but this never gets old ❤️
#riverdaleartwalk
Thanks to everyone who came out to see my new work, and were just as excited about playing with microscopes as I am.
I'm humbled that so many of you chose to take one of my pieces home with you. This is my 19th time at this show, but this never gets old ❤️
#riverdaleartwalk
June 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Wow, what a weekend!
Thanks to everyone who came out to see my new work, and were just as excited about playing with microscopes as I am.
I'm humbled that so many of you chose to take one of my pieces home with you. This is my 19th time at this show, but this never gets old ❤️
#riverdaleartwalk
Thanks to everyone who came out to see my new work, and were just as excited about playing with microscopes as I am.
I'm humbled that so many of you chose to take one of my pieces home with you. This is my 19th time at this show, but this never gets old ❤️
#riverdaleartwalk
Celebrating my 19th Riverdale ArtWalk this weekend! I'll be at booth 91 in Jimmie Simpson Park.
If you missed out on playing with microscopes at Doors Open, don't worry, you'll have another chance this weekend.
Riverdale ArtWalk
Jimmie Simpson Park
Saturday May 31, 11-6
Sunday June 1, 10-5
If you missed out on playing with microscopes at Doors Open, don't worry, you'll have another chance this weekend.
Riverdale ArtWalk
Jimmie Simpson Park
Saturday May 31, 11-6
Sunday June 1, 10-5
May 30, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Celebrating my 19th Riverdale ArtWalk this weekend! I'll be at booth 91 in Jimmie Simpson Park.
If you missed out on playing with microscopes at Doors Open, don't worry, you'll have another chance this weekend.
Riverdale ArtWalk
Jimmie Simpson Park
Saturday May 31, 11-6
Sunday June 1, 10-5
If you missed out on playing with microscopes at Doors Open, don't worry, you'll have another chance this weekend.
Riverdale ArtWalk
Jimmie Simpson Park
Saturday May 31, 11-6
Sunday June 1, 10-5
My solo show is part of Doors Open Toronto this weekend! How cool is that?
It's in a beautiful historic building in Yorkville, home to the Dignam & the Ruth Upjohn galleries.
There's a full schedule of fun programming and tours. I'll be there 1-4pm each day with microscopes you can play with.
It's in a beautiful historic building in Yorkville, home to the Dignam & the Ruth Upjohn galleries.
There's a full schedule of fun programming and tours. I'll be there 1-4pm each day with microscopes you can play with.
May 23, 2025 at 9:19 PM
My solo show is part of Doors Open Toronto this weekend! How cool is that?
It's in a beautiful historic building in Yorkville, home to the Dignam & the Ruth Upjohn galleries.
There's a full schedule of fun programming and tours. I'll be there 1-4pm each day with microscopes you can play with.
It's in a beautiful historic building in Yorkville, home to the Dignam & the Ruth Upjohn galleries.
There's a full schedule of fun programming and tours. I'll be there 1-4pm each day with microscopes you can play with.
These two monotypes are based on microscope slides of leeks from my garden.
You can see them both at my current solo show:
Ruth Upjohn Gallery
Yorkville.
23 Prince Arthur Avenue
May 14 - 27
#monotypes #microscopeart
You can see them both at my current solo show:
Ruth Upjohn Gallery
Yorkville.
23 Prince Arthur Avenue
May 14 - 27
#monotypes #microscopeart
May 21, 2025 at 7:22 PM
These two monotypes are based on microscope slides of leeks from my garden.
You can see them both at my current solo show:
Ruth Upjohn Gallery
Yorkville.
23 Prince Arthur Avenue
May 14 - 27
#monotypes #microscopeart
You can see them both at my current solo show:
Ruth Upjohn Gallery
Yorkville.
23 Prince Arthur Avenue
May 14 - 27
#monotypes #microscopeart
For my Cultivated series, I had originally planned to create linocut prints. The results looked too heavy.
The microscope slides that I work from are translucent and need a lighter touch. I'd played around with monotypes before but hadn't found a use for them. Now I have!
The microscope slides that I work from are translucent and need a lighter touch. I'd played around with monotypes before but hadn't found a use for them. Now I have!
May 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
For my Cultivated series, I had originally planned to create linocut prints. The results looked too heavy.
The microscope slides that I work from are translucent and need a lighter touch. I'd played around with monotypes before but hadn't found a use for them. Now I have!
The microscope slides that I work from are translucent and need a lighter touch. I'd played around with monotypes before but hadn't found a use for them. Now I have!
I've been creating monotypes since last summer. For the first time, you can see them in person. They are on exhibition along with paintings from the same series at the Ruth Upjohn Gallery in Yorkville. The gallery is housed in the same historic building as the Dignam Gallery.
May 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I've been creating monotypes since last summer. For the first time, you can see them in person. They are on exhibition along with paintings from the same series at the Ruth Upjohn Gallery in Yorkville. The gallery is housed in the same historic building as the Dignam Gallery.
What’s a monotype? It’s a special, one-off print. No two are the same. Each one is hand-crafted, layer by layer, on a special surface. Then everything is lifted off onto paper.
This one of red chard cells has 5 layers.
#monotype #microscopeart #abstractartist #abstractart #contemporaryart
This one of red chard cells has 5 layers.
#monotype #microscopeart #abstractartist #abstractart #contemporaryart
May 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
What’s a monotype? It’s a special, one-off print. No two are the same. Each one is hand-crafted, layer by layer, on a special surface. Then everything is lifted off onto paper.
This one of red chard cells has 5 layers.
#monotype #microscopeart #abstractartist #abstractart #contemporaryart
This one of red chard cells has 5 layers.
#monotype #microscopeart #abstractartist #abstractart #contemporaryart
Spent today in Yorkville, hanging my solo show!
When I started experimenting with my old microscope, I had no idea it would turn into a new series.
I've shown some of this new work in some exhibitions recently. This is the first time I've seen it all together in one space. I love how it looks.
When I started experimenting with my old microscope, I had no idea it would turn into a new series.
I've shown some of this new work in some exhibitions recently. This is the first time I've seen it all together in one space. I love how it looks.
May 14, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Spent today in Yorkville, hanging my solo show!
When I started experimenting with my old microscope, I had no idea it would turn into a new series.
I've shown some of this new work in some exhibitions recently. This is the first time I've seen it all together in one space. I love how it looks.
When I started experimenting with my old microscope, I had no idea it would turn into a new series.
I've shown some of this new work in some exhibitions recently. This is the first time I've seen it all together in one space. I love how it looks.
Normally cells are difficult to see at the magnification I use. Their walls are really fine and delicate. I often have to resort to using stains when I prep microscope slides to help them show up.
Not these cells. Maybe it's because leeks are so hardy, they're made of stronger stuff.
#microscope
Not these cells. Maybe it's because leeks are so hardy, they're made of stronger stuff.
#microscope
May 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Normally cells are difficult to see at the magnification I use. Their walls are really fine and delicate. I often have to resort to using stains when I prep microscope slides to help them show up.
Not these cells. Maybe it's because leeks are so hardy, they're made of stronger stuff.
#microscope
Not these cells. Maybe it's because leeks are so hardy, they're made of stronger stuff.
#microscope
There are still a few days left to see the Ontario Society Show. It closes Sunday. You can see my tomato cells (pictured) in person:
The Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture
The Ontario Society of Artists' Members' Exhibition of Selected Works
149 High St, Sutton West
Until April 27
The Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture
The Ontario Society of Artists' Members' Exhibition of Selected Works
149 High St, Sutton West
Until April 27
April 23, 2025 at 9:48 PM
There are still a few days left to see the Ontario Society Show. It closes Sunday. You can see my tomato cells (pictured) in person:
The Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture
The Ontario Society of Artists' Members' Exhibition of Selected Works
149 High St, Sutton West
Until April 27
The Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture
The Ontario Society of Artists' Members' Exhibition of Selected Works
149 High St, Sutton West
Until April 27
Another #microscope pic of #purplekale from my garden.
If you look closely you can see a reddish dot in each cell. That's the nucleus.
#microscopeart #microscopeartist #abstractart #abstractartist #microscapes
If you look closely you can see a reddish dot in each cell. That's the nucleus.
#microscopeart #microscopeartist #abstractart #abstractartist #microscapes
March 31, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Another #microscope pic of #purplekale from my garden.
If you look closely you can see a reddish dot in each cell. That's the nucleus.
#microscopeart #microscopeartist #abstractart #abstractartist #microscapes
If you look closely you can see a reddish dot in each cell. That's the nucleus.
#microscopeart #microscopeartist #abstractart #abstractartist #microscapes
My latest #painting, based on the #microscope photo from my last post.
I love the interplay between the purple stain and the naturally coloured veins.
Kale never looked so pretty.
"Purple Kale"
22" diameter
acrylic & graphite on birch panel
magnification x560
stain: purple
I love the interplay between the purple stain and the naturally coloured veins.
Kale never looked so pretty.
"Purple Kale"
22" diameter
acrylic & graphite on birch panel
magnification x560
stain: purple
March 31, 2025 at 8:53 PM
My latest #painting, based on the #microscope photo from my last post.
I love the interplay between the purple stain and the naturally coloured veins.
Kale never looked so pretty.
"Purple Kale"
22" diameter
acrylic & graphite on birch panel
magnification x560
stain: purple
I love the interplay between the purple stain and the naturally coloured veins.
Kale never looked so pretty.
"Purple Kale"
22" diameter
acrylic & graphite on birch panel
magnification x560
stain: purple
Here's the source material for my latest work! It's red kale from my garden.
When I looked at it under the microscope, I used a purple stain to help the cell walls stand out. The violet streaks come from the plant, the bluer purple comes from the stain.
It looks more like a planet than like kale.
When I looked at it under the microscope, I used a purple stain to help the cell walls stand out. The violet streaks come from the plant, the bluer purple comes from the stain.
It looks more like a planet than like kale.
March 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Here's the source material for my latest work! It's red kale from my garden.
When I looked at it under the microscope, I used a purple stain to help the cell walls stand out. The violet streaks come from the plant, the bluer purple comes from the stain.
It looks more like a planet than like kale.
When I looked at it under the microscope, I used a purple stain to help the cell walls stand out. The violet streaks come from the plant, the bluer purple comes from the stain.
It looks more like a planet than like kale.
March 9, 2025 at 11:52 PM
My kale painting at Leslie Grove Gallery for their Seeing Green show.
February 25, 2025 at 9:32 PM
My kale painting at Leslie Grove Gallery for their Seeing Green show.
My last post was a pic of #kale from my garden under my #microscope. I used this as source material in my abstract painting work. The round shape mirrors the image I see through the eyepiece on the microscope.
I made a feature of the little starch capsules inside the cells.
#abstractart #kale
I made a feature of the little starch capsules inside the cells.
#abstractart #kale
February 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
My last post was a pic of #kale from my garden under my #microscope. I used this as source material in my abstract painting work. The round shape mirrors the image I see through the eyepiece on the microscope.
I made a feature of the little starch capsules inside the cells.
#abstractart #kale
I made a feature of the little starch capsules inside the cells.
#abstractart #kale
Cavolo Nero (kale) from my garden under the microscope. If you look closely you can see little starch capsules inside each cell. Who knew kale could look so pretty.
#kale #microscope #greenstain
#kale #microscope #greenstain
February 25, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Cavolo Nero (kale) from my garden under the microscope. If you look closely you can see little starch capsules inside each cell. Who knew kale could look so pretty.
#kale #microscope #greenstain
#kale #microscope #greenstain
My painting of garlic cells got a really lovely spot at Dignam Gallery!
#microscopeart
#microscopeart
February 25, 2025 at 9:07 PM
My painting of garlic cells got a really lovely spot at Dignam Gallery!
#microscopeart
#microscopeart
Here's the finished painting of the garlic cells from my last post.
As an abstract artist I exaggerate the features that stand out to me. In this one it was about playing around with the translucent layers.
#garlic #microscopepainting #microscapes #abstractart #contemporaryart
As an abstract artist I exaggerate the features that stand out to me. In this one it was about playing around with the translucent layers.
#garlic #microscopepainting #microscapes #abstractart #contemporaryart
January 28, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Here's the finished painting of the garlic cells from my last post.
As an abstract artist I exaggerate the features that stand out to me. In this one it was about playing around with the translucent layers.
#garlic #microscopepainting #microscapes #abstractart #contemporaryart
As an abstract artist I exaggerate the features that stand out to me. In this one it was about playing around with the translucent layers.
#garlic #microscopepainting #microscapes #abstractart #contemporaryart