Artist's CV

 

 

Kara Dee Harrison

Currently residing on Vancouver Island, BC.  

 


 

After graduating, I studied art at Vancouver Island University for a year, then began a three year private apprenticeship with a local painter. Workshops and tutorials guiding my emerging style as a painter, but illustration always called to me. Over the years, I considered careers in animation and in the comic book industry, but as 3D technologies took centre stage, I searched for something where I could work more traditionally. 

 

In 2013 I began working in a tattoo and piercing shop, and in 2016 I found my opportunity to apprentice as a tattoo artist. I spent a year and a half shadowing my mentor and working hard on my illustration skills, before picking up my first tattoo machine in early 2018. 

 

I love to travel and to learn, and have attending tattoo conventions across BC and Alberta. I even travelled to Los Angeles for the first Explorer Women's  Tattoo Summit in 2019! 

 

My tattooing home base is Good Form Tattoos in Nanaimo, BC. I also work at Tattoo Zoo in Victoria, BC one week a month, and I regularly travel to Vancouver too.  I love tattooing anything colourful with rainbows and glitter, but dinosaurs, pop culture pieces, and flowers are my very favourite! 

  • Favourite dinosaurs: Carnotaurus and Deinonychus. Not technically dinos, I also love Quetzalcoatlus and Mosasaurus! 
  • Favourite treat: Ice cream and macarons from Burnt Honey! 
  • Favourite art medium: Besides tattooing, I love my Copic markers. 
  • Favourite travel destination: Who could choose? Anywhere I can see a shark! 
  • Favourite colour: Like, all of the blue and teal. All of it. 

On my days off you can probably find me at home with my wonderful husband, two corgis, and bunny, or hanging out with friends.

 

Now you know me a little better! 

 

Education

  • Conferencia Nacional de Tatuadores - Columbia (virtual attendance) - 2022   
  • Explorer Women's Tattoo Summit - Los Angeles - 2019
  • Alla prima portrait painting - Week long intensive workshop - 2018  
  • Tattoo, acrylic painting, and design apprenticeship - 2016-2018
  • Hoedl Fine Art Studios - Oil painting apprenticeship - 2008-2010   
  • Malaspina University College (now Vancouver Island University) - Fine Arts program - 2004 
  • Malaspina University College - Drawing 101 (Dual Credit program through NDSS) - 2003 

 

Painting Exhibitions and Shows

  • Public dinosaur statue redesign and painting - Drumheller, AB - 2022  
  • Hub City Walls - Mural "Adventures in Otter Space" created for the city - Nanaimo, BC - 2020 
  • "In Bloom" - Group show at Gastown Attic Gallery - Vancouver, BC - 2020
  • Stretched Art Show - Group Show at Arts Council Building, Gabriola Island - 2020
  • Nanaimo Art Walk - Gallery Merrick, Nanaimo - 2019
  • "Cryptid" - Group show at Gastown Attic Gallery - Vancouver - 2019
  • Heritage Art Show - First Place - Nanaimo - 2019
  • "The Audacious Otter Review" - Gallery Merrick, Nanaimo - 2019 
  • "An Encore of Otters" - Gallery Merrick, Nanaimo -  2019
  • Squared Art Show - Group show at Arts Council Building, Gabriola Island - 2019
  • Nanaimo Art Walk - Home Studio, Nanaimo - 2018  
  • "The Salmon's Family Reunion" & "The Orca's Orchestra" - Gallery Merrick, Nanaimo - 2018
  • "The Otter's Picnic" & "The Crab's Parade" - Gallery Merrick, Nanaimo BC, 2018  
  • Stretched Art Show - Group Show at Arts Council Building, Gabriola Island - 2018
  • Biennial Juried Show - Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, Ladysmith - 2018
  • Art Around Town - Group show at Port Theatre, Nanaimo - 2018
  • Grand Opening Event - Golden Otter Gallery, Nanaimo - 2017 
  • Nanaimo Art Walk - Home studio, Nanaimo - 2017
  • Artist's Alley - Group show in Old City Quarter, Nanaimo - 2010 
  • End of Year Showcase - Malaspina University College, Nanaimo - 2005