Interview by Inta Vanaga | Aurum Altea Art Gallery & Studio
In the heart of Altea, nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and winding whitewashed streets, we had the pleasure of hosting Scottish artist Karen as part of our Artist Residency program. Karen, who hails from the Shetland Islands, has been a professional painter for over 25 years. Her vibrant works — often capturing the fleeting beauty of everyday moments — are a testament to her love for colour, nature, and emotion. In this interview, we talk about her artistic path, what inspires her, and how this sabbatical journey across Europe has left a lasting impression.
Inta: Karen, you’ve had a long and rich journey as an artist. Can you tell us what has shaped you most, both as a painter and a person?
Karen: Oh, it goes way back. As a child, I loved to draw — I even once drew a man on the bedroom wall, which my parents weren’t too thrilled about! But I was deeply focused, even in nursery school. I remember painting on an easel at age four or five, completely ignoring juice and biscuits because I was so absorbed in what I was doing. That intensity has always stayed with me.
Later, I won the top prize for art and design at school. It came with a medal, and that really gave me confidence to pursue art seriously. Coming from Shetland and moving all the way to the south of England to study in Hereford felt like travelling to the tropics! I studied black-and-white photography there for a while, which was beautiful in its own right — all those tones and contrasts — but I missed colour deeply. That’s when I returned to painting, and I’ve never stopped since.
Inta: Colour clearly plays a vital role in your work.
Karen: Absolutely. Colour is essential to how I understand the world. Even in photography, we learned from Ansel Adams that there are twelve shades between pure white and black, but in painting… oh, there are thousands! Whites, blues, oranges — it’s endless. I even read that scientists recently discovered a new yellow. Can you imagine? I want to see it! Colour isn’t just visual for me — it’s emotional, it’s spiritual, it’s everything. We weren’t born to see in black and white. We’re built to see and feel colour.
Inta: You’ve spoken about your connection to nature, especially the sea. How has growing up by the ocean shaped your artistic eye?
Karen: Living just 100 meters from the sea in Shetland, I saw the ocean every day. The light would constantly shift — greens, greys, silvers — sometimes gentle, sometimes stormy. Sitting on black rocks as a child, watching thunderous waves crash around me, it was thrilling and dangerous. That sense of awe has stayed with me.
Here in Altea, something stirred in me again. When I see the sun sparkling on the sea, like diamonds, it takes me right back. The clarity of the water, the layers of colour, even the fish — it’s incredibly evocative. Altea has reawakened that sensory connection to nature that I’ve carried since childhood.
Inta: Watching you paint feels almost like witnessing a meditation. How do you experience that kind of deep concentration?
Karen: It’s absolutely meditative. Time disappears. I mix two colours, add a touch of white, and suddenly I’ve created the exact shade I’ve been searching for. It’s like cracking open a rock and finding crystals inside — that magic of discovery. It’s endlessly fascinating. That feeling of “Wow, where did this come from?” — it still excites me, even after all these years.
Inta: You often paint simple, everyday things — like fruit — but with such emotional intimacy. What draws you to these subjects?
Karen: Because they’re not really simple! A pear, a lemon — they’re like tiny landscapes. When you really look, you see little marks, hints of green or blue, a thousand tiny variations. Light hits them differently depending on the time of day or their ripeness. A lemon isn’t just yellow — it can be orange, greenish, shadowed in blue. Even a bowl of cherries is a world of reds, pinks, purples, and a hint of brown on the stem. There’s so much depth in these everyday things, and they’re beautiful. Plus, I like fruit — it’s healthy! (laughs)
Inta: You’ve also begun experimenting with textures, layers, and new techniques. What gave you the courage to evolve your style?
Karen: Being here in your studio has pushed me. Seeing your use of texture, layering, even gold leaf — it’s been inspiring. I used to paint much more smoothly, but now I’m exploring again. Texture adds emotional layers, just like people do. There’s depth in a painting — like life — and I want to express that more.
At one point, I even considered asking the hairdresser for some hair to glue onto a canvas for a cat painting — just to see what it would do! (laughs) I haven’t gone that far yet, but the idea of mixing materials excites me.
Inta: Has music played a role in your creative flow here?
Karen: Definitely. You always play such calming music in the studio, and it helps me get into that flow. But also, in our little flat by the sea, musicians sometimes perform below the balcony — Spanish guitar, classical tunes… when they’re good, it’s magical. Your whole body relaxes. Painting on the balcony with music and sea breeze — it’s bliss.
Inta: What do you hope people feel when they see your work?
Karen: I hope they feel uplifted. That they see a painting and say, “Oh, that’s beautiful,” or that it touches something deep in them — a memory, maybe even brings a tear. I’ve had that happen. Art has the power to stir us, to comfort us. And of course, I want the painting to look good in their home too! But above all, I want them to feel something.
Inta: You and your husband are on sabbatical, travelling through Europe. What has this journey meant to you?
Karen: It’s been emotional and beautiful. We started by spending time with my husband’s father, who sadly passed away while we were on the road. But we were able to have that precious time with him, and we’re so grateful for it.
We’ve also visited Shetland again, walked familiar paths, saw friends we hadn’t seen in years. Then we traveled through the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy — Venice was a dream come true — and Austria. Each place brought new colours, new textures, new stories. In Amsterdam, I saw a cheese shop filled with endless shades of orange and yellow — it was like an artwork in itself! It’s been a journey of the heart, not just the eyes.
Inta: And then, you arrived in Altea.
Karen: Yes, and I felt like I’d come home again. The sea, the light, the friendliness of people — even the variety of languages and accents reminds me of Shetland, where cruise ships bring visitors from all over the world. There’s a shared sense of openness.
And of course, discovering this studio — meeting you, Inta — has been a gift. You’ve encouraged me to try new things, to stop when needed, to push forward when ready. You even challenged me with bigger canvases! (laughs) It’s been a wonderful experience.
Inta: What would you say to other artists thinking of visiting Altea or applying for a residency here?
Karen: Do it. Altea is inspiring — the old town with its worn stone steps, whitewashed houses, blooming flowers, and beautiful light. Even the little dogs on the promenade are inspirational! (laughs) This place is full of stories and colour, and the gallery is a welcoming space. Whether you’re an artist or an art lover, there’s something magical here. And who knows, you might just find a new part of yourself too.
Karen’s residency concludes this week, but her presence will linger in the colours she brought to canvas and the warmth she shared with everyone she met. Her journey continues, but Altea will always have a brushstroke of Karen in it.