Standing Stone Mixed media on canvas

Monolith Acrylic on canvas

Eucalypt Forest Mixed media on canvas

Silhouette Acrylic on canvas

Girraween Mixed media on canvas

Karyn Fendley
Painter (Byron Bay, NSW)

Karyn Fendley draws inspiration from the natural world, whether the minutiae of her environment, or an aerial view. Raised in Brisbane and currently based in Northern NSW, her latest series of landscape paintings were inspired by the dramatic scenery around Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks in Northern NSW. These paintings convey a feeling of space that is evocative of these landscapes. They also offer a fresh contemporary look at the landscape genre.

Karyn's paintings capture the atmosphere and the sensation of place, rather than detailing any specific view. She uses layers of paint, abstracted forms and a blend of traditional and new media to explore the connections between landscape, memory and the subconscious. There is a certain drama in her work, a limited palette and extreme play of light and dark add a dreamlike dimension to her paintings.

Since 1993 Karyn has devoted herself to painting, exhibiting and exploring the diverse natural landscapes which inspire her work. She has exhibited in Byron Bay, Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Brisbane, Melbourne and Florence and her works are housed in public and private collections worldwide.

Artist Statement:

"The natural world has been the common theme running through all my artwork since I began painting. In the past I have found inspiration in the vast aspects of nature, painting the earth as seen from above - river beds, deserts & salt lakes etc. I have also found inspiration in the smaller aspects of nature, such as pebbles, shells, flowers and even microscopic natural forms such as the cellular structure of wood, bone and rock crystals."

"In my latest landscape paintings I have incorporated both very tiny and very large features of the landscape. This is a more holistic and realistic approach than in some of my previous artworks, but the theme and the intent remains the same. I find the natural world to be harmonious, beautiful, and mysterious. I hope my paintings express this precious beauty and inspire people to value and respect the natural world."

Contact Karyn Fendley
Visit Karyn Fendley's website

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

2007 “Landscapes” ~ Neo Gallery, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
2006 “West From Here” ~ Artizanzoo Artspace, Ballina, , NSW, Australia
2004 Recent Work ~ Passion@flowers, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
2002 "Three" ~ Tub Gallery Byron Bay NSW Australia
2001 Asia Pacific Earth Charter Congress Exhibition Soka Gakkai Centre Brisbane
2001 “The Patterns of Nature” Fox Gallery Brisbane
2000 “Remembered and Imagined” Fox Gallery Brisbane


Selected Group Exhibitions:

2007 Downlands College 21st Annual Art Exhibition Toowoomba
2006 Flying Arts Regional Arts Awards, Pinnacles Gallery, Thuringowa QLD
2006 “Smalls” Waywood Gallery, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
2005 International Contemporary Art Biennale Florence Italy
2005 The Collectors' Exhibition Steps Gallery Melbourne VIC Australia
2004 The Corporate Art Gallery, Burleigh, QLD, Australia
2004 "Pandora's Box" Pan Gallery Byron Bay NSW Australia
2002 “Talls” Waywood Gallery, Byron Bay, NSW,Australia
2001 QCL Art Award, Logan Regional Gallery, Logan, QLD, Australia
2001 “Third Annual Eclectic” Fox Gallery, Brisbane QLD, Australia
2001 “20 000 strokes under the sea” 2001 Tub Gallery Byron Bay,
2001 “Christmas PANtomime Exhibition” Artmix Gallery Byron Bay,
2001 “Wetlands and Estuaries Art Exhibition” Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
2001 “Pandemonium” Byron Art Space, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
2001 “Talls” Waywood Gallery, Byron Bay, NSW,Australia
2000 “Second Annual Eclectic” Fox Gallery, Brisbane QLD, Australia
2000 6 degrees of modern art, Byron Bay, NSW,Australia
2000 Easter Arts Classic, Byron Bay, NSW,Australia
2000 Celestial Gallery Brisbane, QLD, Australia
2000 “mmm....yes” Virtuosity Gallery, Byron Bay, NSW,Australia
2000 “Talls” Waywood Gallery, Byron Bay, NSW,Australia