Karen Laurence-Rowe

Patron

Nairobi-based artist Karen Laurence-Rowe grew up in East Africa where the countryside outside the cities was teaming with wildlife and the landscape virtually unspoiled by signs of humanity. With her father, a civil engineer, her early days were spent living an almost nomadic life as her family moved from one camp to another – sometimes deep in the African bush and miles from the nearest town. 

As a form of entertainment – she and her brother would draw – and with so many of Africa’s creatures roaming around the perimeter fences – the roots of her passion for wildlife art took hold.

Now as an established wildlife artist with the prestigious 2012 David Shepherd ‘Wildlife of the Artist of the year’ and the 2015 'Simon Combes Conservation Artist of the year' under her belt, she uses her art to create awareness to the plight of our wildlife today, and at the same time, helps raise much needed funds.

“The passion I have for my subject matter seems to grow with each painting. It terrifies me that as fast as I can paint the beautiful beasts and vistas of this continent, they are as quickly disappearing to the pressures of humanity and poaching.   I feel the need to record it in paint before it is lost to us forever! ”