Hello, I’m Karis

illustrator animator oxford artist
 

And I’m a Visual Storyteller

 

I am a freelance artist based on the Oxford Canal aboard an old butty. The boat serves as a floating studio and has become my strange but serene sanctuary in which to daydream and make things.

I work with clients to create illustration and animation as well as commissioned painting projects. I also create storytelling theatre called Crankie, for performance and workshops. I produce personal work which I sell online and locally at art markets, and I open the boat up to the public for annual Open Boat Day and Oxfordshire Artweeks to exhibit prints and original works.

 
 

Through the porthole

With a penchant for dark tales and folklore, mythological creatures and uncanny narratives have a habit of creeping into my work, plus the occasional dancing frog for good measure.

I create using a few different mediums, donning varying hats. I merge disciplines and enjoy the fun and curious meld of digital and analog, static and moving. The nature of VISUAL STORYTELLING is what ties all of my endeavours together.

 
 
 
 

Events 2025

Lines Event Illustration Night 15th February 4.30-9pm-I will be selling work and doing demos -Jericho Tavern, Oxford

Commonground Art Market (date tbc) March, Little Clarendon St. Oxford

Great Tail Trail Sculpture trail-my giant mermaid tail sculpture will be on this trail April-June Bournemouth

Oxfordshire Artweeks Water and the Witch 3-10th May 11-6pm-I shall be exhibiting a mixture of drawings, paintings and storytelling art aboard the boat. The Towpath, north of Godstow Bridge, Wolvercote

‘Scenes Unseen’ Original Art Postcards Exhibition 17th-26th May Chipping Norton Theatre Gallery

Waddle On Sea Sculpture trail-my penguin sculpture will be on this trail July-September Southend-on-sea

Open Boats Day Art Market aboard Lady Banbury-boaters open their hatches to the public! (Date tbc) June. The Towpath, north of Godstow Bridge, Wolvercote

Got a project?

If you have a project you’d like me to work on with you, please drop me an email, I’d love to collaborate and hear all about it!

Just want to hear and see more of what I’m doing? Join my mailing list and I’ll update you with new products, projects and arty waffle, you lucky thing!

I love sharing my projects and works in progress/behind the scenes bits n bobs online so please give me a follow everywhere @karisgonegonzo

May the 4th be with you!. Return of the Jedi reimagined as a folkhorror, simply called ‘Ewok’. Yubnub 🖤 #returnofthejedi #ewok #maythefourthbewithyou #yubnub #starwarsnerd #retroposter #vintageposter #movieposterart #folkhorror
Up the May! Not technically a kosher Mayday until you’ve danced with a badger, fought with a fox and had a debate with an opinionated tree……just saying. Let’s get wavy 💚 P.s Which colour way? #upthemay #maydayoxford #be
This seemed an apt project to waffle about today, with it being #earthday A lot of my illustrations may appear to be from a realm other than earth, but it is the fascinating creatures and plants right here on this planet that get my imagination run
Here is a new illustration and one of my favourites this year as I delve deeper into witchcraft persecutions and unbelievable trials. I try and carve out a month each year to solely dedicate to personal work. It also helps me see where my interests a