Contact me if you are interested in working together, want to inquire about design/illustration projects, commissions or licensing opportunities, or just want to say hi.
Email: hello@karenburton.com
‘I want to live in a world where chocolate isn’t fattening, people are always nice to each other and everywhere you look you can see happy colors.’
Hello! I am Karen Burton, an illustrator, designer and photographer. I am lucky to live and create atop a hillside in northern Virginia – near Washington, DC – with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance. I am inspired by the changing seasons, sunsets, flowers and wildlife unique to this area.
I create original art and designs – dreamy modern florals, scrumptious food illustrations and other fun subjects meant to bring joy and inspiration to your day. My work uses a variety of styles and media – ranging from sophisticated to whimsical, graphic to expressive, spontaneous and loose to detailed … all with a passion for big doses of color. Modern, fresh, fun, happy, artistic, uplifting, cheerful, beautyFULL.
I also create digital drawings that feature flowers, food and everyday objects – part of my “Favorite Things” series. Much of this work includes a combination of realism, whimsy and a love of color. Upon close examination – a myriad of energetic marks provides an almost abstract sensibility. Dream list: I would love to see some of the digital flower portraits and food illustrations produced on appetizer/dessert plates …
Creative directors have called my designs “crossover” due to their suitability for many markets such as home decor, wallpaper, fashion, bolt fabrics, accessories, stationery and gifts. I am available for freelance, commission and licensing opportunities.
Clients/Collaborations
- To My Dear Friend: The Art of Friendship (Author: Deirde Shupe, Illustrator: Karen Burton) Available on Amazon
- Planting Gardens on the Moon (Author: Aliyah Jackson, Illustrator: Karen Burton) Available on Barnes and Noble
- United Nations – Shortlisted for Global Call Out to Fight the Spread of COVID (blog post)
- Illustrators for Hire (Karen Burton – specializing in Florals and Plants)
- Illustrators for Hire (Karen Burton – specializing in Food and Drinks)
- They Draw
- Rendezvous Gallery
- Macys
- Deirdre
- Martex
- J.P. Stevens/West Point Home
- Springs Global
- Gitano Accessories
I love all things creative. I grew up making clothes (for Barbie and for me), drawing horses and floor plans for my future dream home. I studied painting, printmaking and photography in art school for my BFA as well as web design and digital illustration for my more recent MFA.
l was very involved in textile design a number of years ago – creating hand-painted repeat designs using gouache on paper. I exhibited at Surtex a couple of times and found success selling designs for bedding, rugs, scarves and gift wrap to various companies. I also worked directly with Macys to develop several bedding collections.
I have another online business for which I wear all of the hats – web design & development, product photography, marketing, customer service, etc. Visit Rendezvous Gallery to see some amazing items from talented U.S. fine art & craft artists.
For any computer nerds (said lovingly) out there, you might enjoy reading my MFA thesis presentation book that goes into detail about the stages of developing the My Creative View (pdf) flash application offering users a way to find inspiration and take part in the creative process. (The actual online application is no longer accessible due to the cessation of Flash programming.)
Web/Graphic Design/User Experience Portfolio (pdf)
Thanks so much for being part of this creative journey!