New easel and eye

Hi, my name is Karenina Johnson and I am an award winning artist and tutor based in Perth, Scotland. I love painting and I want to continue working for many years to come but, sadly, there is now an obstacle to that. I was recently diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition, which may end up with me requiring corneal implants. to mitigate the need for these implants, I must change my current working style and work on much larger and  looser paintings.

Following extensive research, I have found the perfect easel that offers me the flexibility I need. It is made by a wonderful craftsman who understands the requirements of working artists.  

I must be honest, there is no way I could afford this easel without your help and support. Taking into account transport costs, as well as the cost of the easel itself, I need to raise £3,500. My crowdfunder new-easel-and-eye is running for 28 days from 22/03/21 - 19/04/21 and if I reach my target for each stage, will be one of twenty projects being 'match funded' by Creative Scotland. As a huge thank you for helping me continue doing the work I love, I am excited to be able to offer a range of rewards, ranging in price from £10 to £125.

A bit more about me

I have always had a passion for painting and drawing and feel immensely privileged to paint, and inspire others to pick up a paintbrush for a living. I have exhibited across Scotland, and my paintings are in private collections in the UK, USA, NZ, Japan, South Africa and Singapore. One of my paintings forms part of the permanent collection at the Meffan Institute, Forfar.

 Recently I was invited to become a member of Perthshire Artisans. I am a member of Perthshire Open Studios and was one of their Artists in Residence at the Bield in 2019. 

Sometimes it's nice to get out of the studio and teach

I love painting by myself, but I also enjoy sharing the joy of creating artworks with other people too. I teach adults with varying levels of experience, from complete beginners to more experienced students.

 My art classes start with a demo of how to paint something, but within the class, there is never time to finish them. As a result, I have amassed a lot of 'half finished' demonstration paintings. Recently I went through the extensive stack and took the time to complete some of my favourite pieces. These pictures are individually priced, not available anywhere else and are on a 'first come', 'first served' basis. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Frequently asked questions

..... What is the breakdown of the £3,500?

Good question! The easel costs £2,300 with transportation costs of £675,. The fees associated with Crowdfunder and Creative Scotland are 15%, which equating to £525.

.... What difference will this easel make to your practice?

The easel will make a massive difference to how I work. I will be able to work on really large paintings but will allow me the flexibility to work on a smaller  scale if I want to. Rather than raising the top ledge, the user can drop the bottom half, ensuring the easel is not too high for modern ceilings. The cantilever system is also really clever as, with fingertip control it allows the user to move their canvas up or down as well as left. I am really excited about working on much larger paintings and exhibiting them next year.

How long will it be till you get the easel?

.... As each easel is lovingly made to order and, due to the pandemic, there is a waiting list of between six and seven months. 

Will you post photos of the easel in your studio when you get it?   

Absolutely! I will probably flood Facebook and Instagram with photo boring everyone with my enthusiasm and joy. For this I apologise in advance.