Local Artist Karen Fourie Brings Nature and Colour to St Ives
- neighbourhoodmedia
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Meet Karen Fourie, a St Ives local and talented artist that’s inspired by nature, wild and human.
Artist, Karen Fourie, was born and raised in South Africa surrounded by unique natural beauty and a vibrant culture. When she and her family moved to St Ives, she discovered a whole new world of marvels.
“When I first did a walk around the Wildflower Garden in St Ives, I noticed the Scribbly Gum markings and thought people had vandalised the tree bark. I later learned these marks are left from larvae hatching into moths and moving in zig-zag directions under the bark leaving unique markings on the tree bark. I find this so life affirming and joyful,” says Fourie, revealing an instinctive creative eye and near child-like sense of wonder.
Moving to Australia & St Ives
Describing her family as adventurous, Fourie, her husband and two young boys moved to Australia in 2011. They wanted a lifestyle that was similar to what they had, but safe and inclusive with more opportunities to thrive. They found that in St Ives.
“A few streets away from the main road, it feels very calm and peaceful. You can hear the bird song. On occasion you can see a wallaby hop down the road… in the evening the possums, bats and bandicoots come out. I love living so close to the bush with an abundance of birdlife. It reminds me of my childhood in South Africa.”
Fourie and her family love exploring the many bushwalks and nature trails in the area. Her sons play soccer, so they’ve also visited lots of local parks and ovals.
“The St Ives Showgrounds have a lovely fenced off park for younger kids and my boys have enjoyed the treetops adventure experience. There is a lovely little coffee shop there too.”
The Fourie’s prefer to shop local, too.
“My family and I love Silk, a Chinese restaurant at the Village. We enjoy Thai at Charmed and Bangkok Bites. Graces’s Bakery have the best Vietnamese pork buns. The South African shop is a good stop for melktert, it’s a yummy South African custard tart… and biltong of course.”
Artistic Inspiration
Fourie paints in the fauvist tradition, and her artwork reflects her personality: bold, bright, spontaneous, energetic.
“I would say my art is very dynamic and reflects being very resilient and always looking towards the light.”
Her inspiration can come from anywhere: the contrast of grey sky with white clouds on an autumn day; changing leaves; cockatoos feasting on seeds; a song lyric; meeting someone new; being outdoors with her family.
Karen Fourie Art Workshops
As well as creating works herself, Fourie runs art workshops, Art With Kari (her nickname), for adults and children. The workshops are not so much instructive as empowering, encouraging freedom of ideas and expression.
She especially enjoys working with kids because they are uninhibited and adventurous.
“I love the younger children’s courage, they’re fearless with their creativity. They’re willing to take risks and learn and grow so fast. It's very rewarding to see kids gaining confidence by taking a concept and running with it in their own way.”
Fourie frequently discovers child prodigies who are amazingly talented. She encourages them to try different things and find their unique voice. Adults tend to be more self-critical and self-conscious, so Fourie focuses on creating a relaxed environment.
“The adult paint and sip events are fun, where it’s more about connecting with friends and having a shared experience. Alcohol can help the adults relax, but too much and things tend to get very festive and not much art gets done.”
Workshops, kid’s birthday parties, art and design courses and other events are hosted at Fourie’s St Ives studio. Kids can also complete an arts and design course online. And, of course, keep an eye out for Fourie’s gorgeous artwork — or for the lady herself who sounds like she might stick around for a while.
“My little family and I love living in Australia. The local community embraced us from day one and we’re thriving here.”
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