There’s always been something really appealing to me about working with family. The appeal for me is that I get to work with someone I really love and care about and I get to spend more time with family doing something productive that helps all of us. It’s rare to find successful businesses that are family run these days but Karen Newman is making headway by working with her son at Studio Forty8. I caught up with her to learn more about her work and what guests can expect from her at this year’s Art World Expo Edmonton at Muttart Conservatory on March 16, 2018.

 

I have been making art my whole life.  My Dad dabbled a little in painting when I was very young and started me early, to keep me busy I guess.  I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t doing something creative. I had hoped at one time it would be my full time career.  I have a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from York University,  but after graduating I didn’t feel that commercial work was for me.  I traveled and worked for a bit and then life and family took over and a career in the arts got put on the back burner.  Inspired by my teenage son Dylan, who has aspirations to be a professional artist himself, we started Studio Forty8 three years ago,  and I am back creating art on a regular (although part time) basis.