Introduction:
Knotty Girl Wood Art was created by Karen Copeland in 2022 in Abbotsford, British Columbia. What started as a hobby during the covid pandemic has turned into a passion for creating works of art that celebrate the power of transformation and sustainability. At its core, Knotty Girl Wood Art stands as a beacon of creativity, turning discarded wood into masterpieces of art.

The Story of Knotty Girl Wood Art:
Karen never really considered herself to be creative, but when covid hit she started to create art. She would draw designs on wood boards, and then paint and stain them. She made several pieces this way and loved and thrived on the feelings of focus and accomplishment she’d experience when creating. As her confidence grew, Karen's fear of power tools started to transform into courage, leading her to where she is now. Karen likes to think this creativity is a strength that was just lurking, waiting for the right time to make itself known in her life. Creating wood art has given Karen an outlet that calms and focuses; it challenges and rewards. She learns and grows with each piece she makes. It's an indescribable feeling when a piece of old wood is carefully sanded and restored to reveal a beautiful and textured grain that was long forgotten. Karen loves sharing that feeling with others.

The Art of Sustainability:
Each art piece is a product of careful selection of recycled materials, including pine off-cuts, old cedar fence boards and more. This approach not only reduces waste but also ensures each artwork is infused with history and character. If you ask, Karen can often tell you the story or history behind each piece of wood that she uses in her pieces.

Product Range:
Karen has created a diverse range of wood art pieces:

Classic Mosaics: These pieces feature intricate patterns and designs, bringing together various shades and textures of wood to create a calming visual experience.

Mountain Art: Inspired by the majestic landscapes of Canada, these pieces capture the essence of mountainous terrains, appealing to nature lovers and adventurers.

Coastal/Ocean-Themed Art: Here, Karen delves into the serene and calming themes of the ocean, creating pieces that resonate with the tranquility of coastal life.

Night Sky Art: These artworks are a homage to the celestial beauty of the night sky, capturing the awe-inspiring essence of the stars and northern lights.

The Artistic Process:
The creation of each piece at Knotty Girl Wood Art is a meticulous process. From selecting the right wood to cutting and assembling the pieces, Karen infuses each step with passion and precision. The result is artworks that are both timeless and contemporary.

The Abbotsford Connection:
Karen has lived in Abbotsford for over two decades. Knotty Girl Wood Art not only contributes to the local art scene but also engages in collaborations and initiatives that enrich the cultural tapestry of the city, including the donation of art pieces to various events and initiatives.

Expanding the Horizon:
While Knotty Girl Wood Art has its heart in Abbotsford, Karen’s vision extends far beyond. Through online presence and strategic marketing, Knotty Girl Wood Art aims to reach art enthusiasts and eco-conscious consumers across Canada. The website and social media platforms serve as gateways for people to explore and connect with Karen's art.

Customer Stories and Impact:
The impact of Knotty Girl Wood Art is best told through the stories of its customers. Testimonials often highlight the beauty, craftsmanship, and narrative embedded in each piece.

“I'm the proud owner of two of Karen's pieces of art. There's warmth and depth to each one she creates; the more I look at mine the more I love them.” HV

“I have an early piece of Knotty Girl Wood Art. It's quilt-meets-cabin-ness is so meaningful to me; it's a story board of sorts. I think that's Karen's secret: she is gifted in feeling a mood and making a story of it. I consider myself fortunate to have a hummingbird on my piece--and early piece, too. It purples are meaningful as is the 'colibri' in a perfect position above the blocks. I love everything about it.” MBA

The Future of Knotty Girl Wood Art:
Karen’s creativity is always evolving, with plans to introduce new designs and collaborations that continue to highlight and feature the beauty of eco-friendly art.

Sustainability matters immensely in the context of Knotty Girl Wood Art for several key reasons, benefiting a wide array of stakeholders including the environment, the community, customers, and the business itself.

Why Sustainability Matters:

Environmental Impact:

By using reclaimed and recycled wood, Knotty Girl Wood Art helps reduce waste and minimizes the business's carbon footprint. This practice contributes to lessening the amount of wood that ends up in landfills, thereby reducing environmental pollution and promoting healthier ecosystems.

Conservation of Resources:

Utilizing discarded wood pieces means less demand for freshly sourced timber. This approach aids in conserving natural resources, reducing deforestation, and preserving biodiversity.

Promoting a Circular Economy:

By transforming discarded materials into valuable art, the business showcases how a circular economy can function effectively. It demonstrates that materials can have a new life cycle, thereby reducing the need for new resources and minimizing waste.

Who Benefits and How:

The Environment:

The most direct beneficiary of Knotty Girl Wood Art's sustainability practices is the environment. By repurposing wood, the business reduces landfill waste, decreases the need for new resource extraction, and thereby lessens the overall environmental impact.

The Local Community:

The community in Abbotsford and beyond benefits as Knotty Girl Wood Art sets an example of environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices. This can inspire other businesses and individuals to adopt similar practices, leading to a more sustainable community overall.

Customers:

Customers benefit by obtaining unique, eco-friendly art pieces that have a story and character. They become part of a sustainable cycle and contribute to a greener planet. Additionally, owning art that is created with environmental consciousness can bring a sense of pride and connection to broader ecological efforts.

The Business Itself:

Knotty Girl Wood Art benefits by differentiating itself in the market as a sustainable and eco-conscious brand. This unique selling point can attract customers who value environmental responsibility, thus potentially increasing the customer base and loyalty. Moreover, sustainable practices can often lead to cost savings in the long run, as recycled materials can be less expensive than new ones.

At Knotty Girl Wood Art, located in the picturesque city of Abbotsford, British Columbia, the choice of wood is not merely a matter of aesthetics but a deep commitment to sustainability and storytelling. Karen believes in sourcing and utilizing different types of wood, which lends each art piece its distinct character and charm.

Pine Off-Cuts: The Unsung Hero

Pine off-cuts, often overlooked and discarded, find new life at Knotty Girl Wood Art. These pieces, sourced from local woodworkers and construction sites, bring a light color and fine-grain texture to the art. Karen often utilizes these pieces to build the frames for her art.

Old Cedar Fence Boards: Rustic and Timeless

There’s something deeply moving about transforming old cedar fence boards into beautiful works of art. These boards, reclaimed from fences and structures around Abbotsford and beyond, carry with them a history and a rustic charm. The weathered look and the durable nature of cedar make it a favorite for pieces that exude a vintage or natural aesthetic.

Barn Board: A Nostalgic Whisper

Barn board, with its rugged texture and rich backstory, brings a sense of nostalgia and connection to the countryside. These boards are carefully sourced from reclamation businesses in British Columbia and Alberta. They’re often used in art pieces that aim to evoke a sense of rural heritage and simplicity. Karen grew up on a farm in rural Alberta, and the pieces of board she uses in her art bring back many feelings and memories of her childhood.

Cedar Lath: Delicate Precision

Cedar lath, sourced from larger stores, is used primarily for sky and water in Karen’s pieces. Its narrow, uniform strips often have a grain within them that, when treated a certain way will mimic ripples of water, adding movement and character to the piece of art.

The Trees: Collaboration and Community

Karen sources her smaller laser-cut trees from an artist in Ontario, Northland Laser Crafts. The larger, cedar tree cutouts are sourced from an artist in Sechelt, Kimberley Francis.

The Artistic Journey of Wood at Knotty Girl Wood Art

The journey of each type of wood from being discarded or forgotten to becoming an integral part of a beautiful art piece is a process filled with passion and creativity. Karen’s commitment to eco-friendliness and sustainable practices is evident in the way she repurposes these woods. Every step, from sourcing to preparation, and finally to artistic integration, is done with the utmost care and respect for the material and the environment.
Knotty Girl Wood Art’s use of various woods is more than a choice—it’s a statement.

It’s about giving new life to materials that would otherwise be forgotten, about telling a story through each grain and knot, and about creating art that resonates with the heart and the environment. This unique blend of sustainability, artistry, and storytelling is what Knotty Girl Wood Art is all about.

If you're interested in exploring the possibility of owning a unique piece of custom wood art, we invite you to contact Knotty Girl Wood Art to discuss your wood art needs and requests.

What You Can Expect

When you request a custom piece from Knotty Girl Wood Art, you will receive a piece of art that is tailored to your specific dimensions and design preferences. Karen will provide you with a quote for the piece right from the start, and then offer you regular updates through the creative process, including general timelines for completion and photos of progress.

Karen will take the time to carefully select pieces of wood that not only fit with the design requirements but also complement each other in terms of texture, color, and grain. Much like all wood has different characteristics, Karen’s pieces will never be the same. While previous pieces can be replicated in terms of basic design, the colors, textures, and layers will be unique in each work of art.

Please reach out to Knotty Girl Wood Art via this website. Karen will get in touch with you to discuss your specific requests.