'Anacapa Gold' is the title of a painting by Kristen Walker that shows her passion for the Channel Islands. (Kristen Walker)
‘Anacapa Gold’ is the title of a painting by Kristen Walker that shows her passion for the Channel Islands. (Kristen Walker)

Santa Barbara artist Kristen M. Walker will present her first featured exhibit Drawn to the Islands at Gallery 113, 1114 State St., Santa Barbara, through Sept. 26.

The public is invited to meet Walker during the First Thursday opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

The collection features original paintings inspired by Walker’s time exploring the landscapes and native plants of California’s Channel Islands.

Walker’s paintings begin in the field, hiking, sketching, photographing and learning about the native plants and landscapes she encounters during her Channel Islands excursions.

Back in her studio, she uses those sketches and reference photos to create large acrylic landscapes and plant portraits that transport viewers to the islands.

Her goal, she said, is to invite curiosity about California’s unique island ecosystems and encourage people to care about protecting them.

“I hope my paintings encourage people to slow down, notice, and become curious about the stories these places and plants have to tell,” Walker said. “The more time I spend on the islands, the more I want to share what makes them so special and why they’re worth protecting.

“People can’t care about what they don’t know about, so my goal is to show them how uniquely amazing these islands truly are.”
The exhibit includes original acrylic paintings, signed limited-edition fine art prints, and greeting cards featuring Walker’s watercolor sketches painted in the field.

Fifteen percent of the sale price of Walker’s Channel Islands artwork will be donated to Channel Islands Restoration, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit working to protect and restore native habitats on the Channel Islands and surrounding mainland.

Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Westmont College and a master’s in communication in digital media from the University of Washington.

She serves on the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara Art Association and on the education committee for Channel Islands Restoration. She is also a member of Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment (SCAPE).

For more, visit kmwalkerdesign.com.