KARIN MCLEAN
Karin began painting twelve years ago, after being inspired by her East Toronto neighbourhood.. Initially working in acrylics, she now alternates between oil and watercolour. As much as her work documents familiar architecture, it also examines the notion of place, belonging and any sensibility that feels like “home”, finding inspiration in the seemingly mundane. McLean’s paintings resonate with those who feel an immediate connection to the work because they recognize the location yet often because they possess a universal feeling that transcends time and place. Her work can be found in private and public collections across Canada, most recently, the new Ken and Marilyn Thomson wing at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto.
After living all of her life in east end Toronto, Karin now lives in Peterborough Ontario where she is painting full-time.
Artist Statement
When I was a child, my family moved constantly, never finding the one true place to call home. We boomeranged between highrise apartments and rented bungalows, our closets filled with some boxes that never got unpacked. This may explain my obsession with houses and buildings. I’ve always been drawn to old structures, the ones with the creaky stairs and slanted floors, dreaming about the previous occupants. What were their hopes and dreams? Aging architecture is disappearing, replaced promptly by shiny glass and wood boxes. It’s important to document the old things, buildings and neighbourhoods that have seen so many changes, before they are gone forever. I like to capture winter and night scenes, when the world is peaceful, without the complication of people. I paint what I see on my everyday travels.
CV
Artspace PTBO 50/50 art auction event 2024
Art Alchemy Studio, “Pi-Squared” Tondo group show 2024
Leslie Grove Gallery “You Do You” group show 2024
Leslie Grove Gallery “Shining Our Light” group show 2023
Artwrx BC Square Foot group show 2023
Leslie Grove Gallery “Big Holiday Smalls” group show 2022
Leslie Grove Gallery “Life Doesn’t Stand Still” group show 2022
Womens Arts Association Dignam Gallery, “Echoes” group show 2022
Leslie Grove Gallery “Big Holiday Smalls Group Show 2021
Leslie Grove Gallery “Inspired by the Arts” group show 2021
Artwrx Studio BC, SQ FT Show 2021
Artspace PTBO,”Untitled Auction” 2021
Leslie Grove Gallery “The View from Here” group show 2021
Blue Crow Gallery Summer Group show 2021
Artspace 50/50 Auction, April 2021
Danforth East Arts Fair - 2019
Studio 888, watercolour show 2019
Blue Crow Gallery - Summer Group Show 2019
Almost Home” - Selected to hang in theLegislative Assembly of Ontario 2019
Northern Tendencies - Propeller Gallery - Group Show 2018
Studio888 - Holiday Group Show 2018
Yellow House Gallery, Canada 151 Group Show 2018
Blue Crow Gallery, Summer group show 2018
Arta Gallery, Spring Exhibition group show 2018
John B. Aird Gallery, “The Views are Different Here, group show 2018
Studio 888- Holiday Group show 2017
Night Snow Alley” featured on Front Page, East York Mirror, Holiday Edition, 2016
Studio888, Holiday group show 2016
Toronto Public Library, S Walter Stewart Branch, solo show “No Place Like Home” 2016