Hi, I'm Karl Stern

After years of a working life running record and bookshops, cafes/bars, a wildlife park, various front line and management jobs in local government, Karl went to art school in 2012/14. 

He Specialises in Collographic plates which he paints as well as making handmade prints. His work is reflective of and inspired by people and places around him at home and on visits abroad. He’s been on three residencies in France, Portugal, Finland, Canada and Iceland. He enjoys the use of colour which is affected by his location, with humour or mood showing through.

Technique

Karl does create painting in oil or acrylic but his main medium is to draw with a stanley knife, cutting into card which he then paints. He mixes his own colours in shellac as a medium to paint with. Once hardened the ‘plate/paiting’ is used like an eching plate to make a small number of prints. This printing process completes the painting by adding line and some tone into the painting whilst also producing hand pressed prints. Paintings are framed. Prints can be hand painted with acrylic or can remain untouched. These may be mounted or framed.

Most images are scanned for making gift cards or archival prints. All prints on quality hahnemuhle paper.

Exhibitions

Forthcoming

  • Pittenweem Arts Festival Aug 3rd – 10th. Backgate Gallery, artwork and gift cards
  • Porty Artwalk, Open studio September 7/8th and 14/15th, Artwork and gift cards

Previous exhibitions

  • Glasgow Art Club (PAI annual) June 24
  • Lincolns Bishop Grosseteste University Solitude Conference. Solo show April 24
  • House for and Art Lover, Glasgow Oct 23 to Feb 24. Solo show
  • Open Studio September 2023. Solo show
  • Karl exhibits regularly in Scotland and has been selected for open shows at the RSA PAI, and VAS
  • He won the small work prize at PAI and more recently the House for an Art Lover prize in Glasgow
  • In addition he has solo exhibitions at cafes, Leith School of Art and his annual open studio event where he has a large range of origional work, gift cards, bags and prints
Shopping Basket