How Rudolph Gets a Red Nose

"How Rudolph Gets a Red Nose"

The ancient Sami origin story for the Santa Claus legend that explains his costume and Rudolph’s flighty behavior.

Artist: Karen Johnson

Media: Digital Drawing, Archival Pigment Print

Dimensions: 8" x 12"

Karen Johnson

After a career in graphic design and photographic art, Karen turned her designer’s eye to nature. Spending summers on a boat traveling up the Pacific Coast presented abundant inspiration, but the working conditions were challenging, until she discovered drawing on an iPad — a mess-free, self-contained studio. She immediately embraced the digital medium and its freedom to experiment with new tools and effects, such as transparency.

“Look Before It’s Gone” is a collection of her drawings that offer fleeting observations on the inventiveness of nature — and its delicate balancing act. Karen calls our attention to the details of nature — the way water behaves, the way plants regenerate, the way movement can be implied, and the inherent transience of all organic elements.

When focusing in on a facet of nature to draw, she takes the opportunity to think deeply about what that organism requires to thrive or to even exist. And how quickly things can change. She has a large body of work with themes such as birds, sealife, water and garden plants, but can just as easily be inspired by planets or microoganisms or a bit of whimsy. 

Particularly strong in this collection is her use of pattern and line. Some are riffs on mobiles, having discovered that the magic of art is that one can draw things that may not actually be functional. 

Unframed prints and other sizes available on request. Her limited edition calendars are collector’s items.

To see more of Karen’s work:

instagram.com/karenjohnson.design

www.karenjohnson.design