Kari Lehr lives and paints in the beautiful Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada. A graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design (1987), she spent 20 years illustrating for various agencies, studios and corporations around North America. Today she pursues her own vision, working primarily in acrylic with collage elements as well as chalk pastel.
Through her work, Kari seeks to find that still, quiet place in consciousness which allows us to feel connection to each other and the natural world.
Original works, limited edition prints and art cards may be purchased directly from the artist or go to the "Galleries" page for a list of places which carry Kari's work.
Portrait of the artist by the artist's sister Sherry
"I can’t remember a time when I didn’t draw. From the earliest squiggles and endless circles drawn in the family Encyclopedias when I was three, to an obsession with busty princesses throughout girlhood, drawing was my thing. It was something that I could use to get attention; when you’re struggling through the maths and sciences in High School and your self-esteem is taking a beating, it helps to have a unique talent that draws praise and encouragement from other departments.
“I’m going to be an artist.”
I always wanted to be an artist. I didn’t exactly know what that entailed or how it would look, but on receiving a scholarship to ACAD in 1983, I enrolled in the Visual Communications program with the intention of becoming a designer/illustrator, thinking that was the only way an artist could make money. I was only 17 at the time, and really didn’t have an appreciation for the rich and diverse artistic expression that was around me.
Upon graduation, I decided to pursue my dream of traveling the world, and left illustration behind for a while. I worked in England and Israel, backpacked through Egypt... then reluctantly came home and began designing yellow page ads for AGT, as Telus was called then. It was not artistically inspiring, but paid well and allowed me another year away traveling through Africa, India and Australia. When I got home I decided it was time to start illustrating full-time. I had a very successful illustration career for 20 years, working for various agencies, studio’s and corporations around North America.
Finding my Voice
In 2004 my husband, 3 children and I moved 2 hours south of Calgary to the Crowsnest Pass, a beautiful mountain community which also has a thriving artistic community. It is here that I have finally been able to listen to the little voice that has been pestering me for so long, telling me to paint what is in my heart.
"I am endlessly fascinated by the textures and layers which are found not only in the landscape, but which comprise our relationships with each other and the mental and physical environment in which we live.
In this frenetic society we live in, I cherish the quiet solitude I often feel in my community which allows room for peaceful contemplation. Through my work, I seek to impart a sense of that stillness which allows us to feel connection to each other and the natural world."
-Kari Lehr, Crowsnest Pass
“I’m going to be an artist.”
I always wanted to be an artist. I didn’t exactly know what that entailed or how it would look, but on receiving a scholarship to ACAD in 1983, I enrolled in the Visual Communications program with the intention of becoming a designer/illustrator, thinking that was the only way an artist could make money. I was only 17 at the time, and really didn’t have an appreciation for the rich and diverse artistic expression that was around me.
Upon graduation, I decided to pursue my dream of traveling the world, and left illustration behind for a while. I worked in England and Israel, backpacked through Egypt... then reluctantly came home and began designing yellow page ads for AGT, as Telus was called then. It was not artistically inspiring, but paid well and allowed me another year away traveling through Africa, India and Australia. When I got home I decided it was time to start illustrating full-time. I had a very successful illustration career for 20 years, working for various agencies, studio’s and corporations around North America.
Finding my Voice
In 2004 my husband, 3 children and I moved 2 hours south of Calgary to the Crowsnest Pass, a beautiful mountain community which also has a thriving artistic community. It is here that I have finally been able to listen to the little voice that has been pestering me for so long, telling me to paint what is in my heart.
"I am endlessly fascinated by the textures and layers which are found not only in the landscape, but which comprise our relationships with each other and the mental and physical environment in which we live.
In this frenetic society we live in, I cherish the quiet solitude I often feel in my community which allows room for peaceful contemplation. Through my work, I seek to impart a sense of that stillness which allows us to feel connection to each other and the natural world."
-Kari Lehr, Crowsnest Pass
