About the Artist
Since I was very young, I have been fascinated by the natural world and have loved to draw. Growing up near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, the water and the plants and animals in and around the bay always played an important part in my life. The natural world continues to be the greatest inspiration for my artwork. For most of my illustrations of aquatic species, my artistic process usually be-
gins with getting wet. Sometimes field work takes the form of fishing a tight mountain creek, and sometimes I don my wetsuit and snorkel gear and spend some time underwater — even in very cold rivers! I love the process of observing fish in their natural environment. All the while, I take notes and photographs to help inform my art. Because I am a scientific illustrator, I also do research to make sure I am accurately capturing the morphological details (the number of scales on a lateral line, for instance) and correct proportions. Most of my final pieces are pen and ink and watercolor or colored pencil.
Currently, I live in Laguna Beach, California, where I am not far from extraordinary fly fishing and great diving. I am an ardent conservationist, and each year, I donate 10 percent of my proceeds to organizations that help to preserve and maintain the magnificent ecosystems that inspire me.
If you would like to commission a work or purchase an original painting, limited-edition giclée ink-jet print, or open-edition print, please visit my Web site, www.karentalbotart.com, or feel free to e-mail me at Karen@karentalbotart.com. I am also available for shows, events, and teaching.
Karen Talbot
