Karen Mabon

While Karen’ silk scarves are a huge success, her work transfers just as easily onto cushions, ceramics, illustrations, swimwear and pyjamas. There’s a quirky stream of humor in the Scottish artist’s work, which rests somewhere between Hieronymus Bosch and Where’s Wally. After studying jewelry at the Edinburgh College of Art, she began a Masters at the Royal College of Art in London. Spending 12 years in Edinburgh building her brand, she’s now based in London. Influences include Eric Ravillious, Enid Marx, Henry Darger, David Hockney, Eduardo Paolozzi, Peter Blake, Henri Matisse and Piero Fornasetti.

Approach

Each creation begins as a pencil or fineliner drawing. Following her screenprinting process, she creates colour separations, which are scanned in and layered in Photoshop using a limited palette.

Key Software

Photoshop

Styles

Karen’s Natural World style is influenced by Swedish textile design and botanical illustration, featuring muted colours and realistic rendering. Her second style is called Novelty – images with a bit more humor, where you can get lost in the detail and discover something new every time.

Social Reach

Instagram: 22.2K

Awards

Scottish Online Accessories Brand – Herald Fashion Awards – 2018 Accessories Designer of the Year – Scottish Fashion Awards – 2016