Irene Klar has been painting professionally for over 35 years. She graduated from McGill University with degrees in Science and Physical Therapy but could not resist the lure of the arts. She received a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Alberta in 1977. Irene was a watercolour instructor at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension for many years. She created several commissioned pieces for the Trans-Canada Trail, the Unitarian Services Committee and Amnesty International (United States, Canada, and Spain). She has donated her designs for many nonprofit fundraising activities and charitable organizations.
Although she began her career as a watercolourist, she is also a printmaker. She has numerous silkscreen editions and she is an accomplished etcher. Her works have been included in juried shows in New Zealand, Slovenia and Spain. The book, Common Threads, features Irene Klar’s etchings and explains the printmaking process. The Gitskan village of ‘Ksan in British Columbia mounted an exhibition of Klar etchings and artwork in 2004. In 2008, she illustrated “Nine Minutes”, a children’s book for Yeo Wan Media, Korea. Her work is featured cover art on several books and was included in a number of film sets.
Irene Klar maintains a busy exhibition schedule of watercolours, acrylics and etchings in Canada and the United States. There is a variety of gift and art wear lines available featuring her designs. These can be viewed at www.ireneklar.com