Artist Spotlight: Karen Borthick

For many artists, creativity begins early, and that was certainly the case for Karen Borthick, who spent her childhood doodling on anything she could find. After retiring, she discovered acrylic paint pouring while helping teach a class and quickly fell in love with the freedom, movement, and endless possibilities of fluid art.

Since then, Karen Borthick has continued to develop her skills, experiment with new techniques, and create artwork inspired by color, nature, and the joy of watching paint transform on the canvas. In this Artist Spotlight, she shares her artistic journey, favorite pouring methods, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Artist Spotlight: Karen Borthick

This was in 2020 and I have been painting ever since ! I have learned much over these last 6 years and still am honing my craft.

What draws you to the medium of paint pouring? What do you enjoy most about it?

I love the freedom of expression and the sometimes unexpected results of my fluid pours. It has been a wonderful outlet to be able to handle the process with my hands being arthritic.
The biggest joy I receive is creating a piece that has different focuses and intrigue within the piece.

Describe your creative process when approaching a new paint pouring project. Do you plan your compositions in advance, or do you prefer to let the process guide you?

Do you frequently use specific techniques or methods in your paint pouring work? Could you walk us through one of your favorite techniques?

My favorite now, is the Pearl Pour. There are so many things that occur in them, depending on the paint brand combination with other brands and the consistency of the paint colors themselves. Prepping the canvas and the paints are the basic requirements for a beautiful outcome.

First prepping the store bought, primed canvas to tighten it. Spraying water on the back and corners are important. It should sound like a drum when tapped after drying. If this step is missed the risk of paint pooling into the middle is very likely. So, when I pour my colors, I don’t use too many different ones, in so I choose the overall result. Dark and moody ? Bright and warm? Minimal? Full coverage ?

Those are all questions that I ask my commission clients as well. That way my test samples that I show them are more accurate to their desires.

What inspires your artistic style and choice of colors? Do any particular themes or motifs recur in your work?

I like to use colors that remind me of nature, like sky and water and maybe space ! at other times, I take those and create a minimal design. I love copper, brown metallic , gold. Silver, blues, yellows and whites. sometimes I create with only one color for a monochrome effect.
I don’t have a particular theme or motif, per se, I do like having a central focal point in the abstractness of it all.

A very fun, memorable experience I have had, was helping introduce folks in a few classes , the freedom and joy of painting in this medium. Seeing the satisfaction of their faces was SO rewarding for me!

A breakthrough moment, several really, was seeing how the different paints and consistencies changed how they reacted with each piece. More exciting for me to see the different possibilities!

How do you overcome creative blocks or challenges when working on a project?

Boy, that is tough to answer !! When the painting comes out cruddy or the colors don’t really work, I have learned that it is ok to scrape it and start over. Sometimes I scrape it, clean off the canvas and leave the room !! Then that gives me time to mull over what was bad and then avoid doing it again. Sometimes I end up doing a totally different technique, which usually turns out to be the best for that day.

Do you have any favorite tools or materials that you always keep in your paint pouring arsenal? What are they, and why do you love them?

How do you know when a paint pouring piece is finished? What criteria do you use to evaluate your work?

Oh my ! when I get the desired effect of the paints interaction with itself, and the design that I am happy with. I like to have designs that create different thoughts when I view it. If I am not pleased with the feeling that I get, then I am not done. Satisfaction is in the pleasure of a finished work.

What advice would you give to aspiring paint pouring artists who are just starting out?

PLEASE don’t be hard on yourself. EVERYONE goes through the learning process. How to mix paint-what to use-consistency-I recommend a simple technique like a flip cup. The paint is very forgiving in those types of pours. Have fun and enjoy the time you get to just throw some paint around. Look at UTube videos -you will pick up tips here and there, to try out. HAVE FUN

Are there any upcoming projects, exhibitions, or collaborations you’re excited about and would like to share with our readers?

Lastly, where can we find more of your work or connect with you online?

Currently up for display and sale at the Merritt Wellness Center, 2246 Vine St in Denver, Colorado. my online connections are in two places.
Karen Borthick Art on Facebook and www.karenborthickart.com
On either location , you can contact me personally and I will do my absolute best to return your inquiry!

Karen Borthick Website | Karen Borthick Facebook

Creativity, Color, and Possibility

Thank you to Karen Borthick for sharing her artistic journey, creative process, and valuable insights into the world of paint pouring. Her willingness to embrace experimentation, learn from challenges, and follow where the paint leads serves as a wonderful reminder that fluid art is as much about the journey as the finished piece.

Whether she’s creating commission work, teaching new artists, or preparing for upcoming exhibitions and events, Karen Borthick continues to inspire others through her passion for creativity and her love of sharing art with the world. Be sure to visit her website and social media pages to see more of her beautiful work and connect with her online.