26th January 2025
Interview with Douglas Karson
Douglas A Karson is an artist, writer, facilitator, entrepreneur, and self-described polymath. His work spans figurative, geometric, and abstract styles, exploring materiality, space, and colour through an approach rooted in both joyful experimentation and deep philosophical inquiry.
Best known for his long-running series the RULES, which examined colour and balance over seven years, his more recent work embraces the absurd - depicting fruit and vegetables dressed in unexpected clothing. Beyond painting, he is a devoted father, husband, and yogi, committed to living a life of service and creativity.
In this interview, Douglas shares insights into his artistic journey, the importance of process over outcome, and why he believes inspiration comes from doing rather than waiting.
What inspired you to pick up a brush/pencil and start painting/drawing?
I was 20, going through a big transition in my life with a massive neck injury and post-graduate plans shifting. I was with a girl at the time who was an artist and she suggested I start painting as I was incapable of exercise at the time. My first sketch was a geometric vampire cat. It was a Eureka moment!
When did your love of art start? Did you always want to be an artist?
My love of appreciating art goes all the way back to visiting the MET in New York with my Nana and Opa when we would travel there to visit them. Where I grew up, there was no art education so it wasn't until I was in my 20's that the idea and life of being a practising artist really crystallised. The passion and love of creating continues just as strongly 20 years later.
What would be your advice for new artists just starting up?
Be in love with the process. Outcomes are very difficult for artists to control, we create what we love to the best of our ability and trust that process. Don't do it for money or fame or it will never feel like it is enough.
What is the best tip you were told early in your career?
Apply the paint.
How has social media helped your career?
To be honest, I've not had great success on social media. I like posting and sharing and have a following yet it feels like there are a lot of people out there who do it better and easier than me.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
That has changed over the years. Primarily I don't think of "getting inspiration" so much as starting the process of creating and then the inspiration comes. That being said, family, sea, earth, sky, cosmos, flowers are all places I see deep beauty regularly.
What is your favourite Daler-Rowney product and why?
I love Daler-Rowney Bristol Board. I do a lot of work with ink on paper and the Bristol Board is the best of all the papers I have ever tried and the Daler-Rowney Bristol Board is the smoothest, the whitest and the most robust I've found.
What is a technique that you haven't tried yet that you would love to try & why?
I think I'd like to try en-plein air watercolour. I've recently moved to the seaside and I think doing watercolours out on the beach sounds pretty spectacular.
Explore Douglas' work further here.
