Karen Ebbs was born in Dublin in 1962. She is a full-time professional artist living and working in Dublin.
Being surprised and excited by what is emerging on canvas is, according to Ebbs, the reason she loves to paint. She finds the process of "mentally stepping aside" totally freeing and it is for this reason she considers art as a pure means for linking what is visionary with the physical world.

In her work Ebbs explores the delicate balance and interconnectedness that exists in all of creation - between earth and the cosmos. As balance exists in nature so also does the innate need and desire exist within each person to evolve to a state of inner balance. Here Ebbs admits to being influenced by her previous work as a therapist.

Over the years she has developed her own unique style, blending traditional with new. The knife is accompanied by the brush to apply oils, acrylics, ground pumice, beeswax, pigments, ground crystals, gold leaf, bog oak slivers, all united on canvas and fabriano paper in an effusion of colour.

Throughout the last number of years, Ebbs has exhibited in many group shows and had her first very successful solo exhibition in November 2005. She shows her work in a number of galleries nationwide including Kennys Art Gallery, Galway, Gormleys Fine Art, Dublin, The Narrow Space Gallery, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.and The Tramyard Gallery, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. Her works form part of the Art of the State collection and several public and private art collections. She was commissioned by the Office of Public Works to paint works of art for the Department of Social Welfare Buildings in Cobh - Cork and Tullamore Courthouse. Her work was also chosen by internationally recognised author, Paddy Francis (Paddy McMahon), as a cover design for his book 'Peacemonger'.

Solo Exhibitions

2025 The Municipal Lexicon Gallery, upcoming solo, Open Call Award

2024 Rathfarnham Castle

2023 Apropos of Everything, MFA Graduation Show at The Annexe, NCAD

2022 I AM more Blue than YOU, YOU ARE more Green than ME, Farmleigh House OPW, Cowshed Gallery
Wild Accumulations, The Lab Gallery, Dublin, Curated by Sheena Barrett

2021 Visual Perception: A Best Guess, BFA at NCAD

2013 Rockpools & Constellations, In Aid of Indreni, Childrens’ Charity, Nepal.

2005/08/09 Solo shows at Dalkey Castle Heritage Centre and The Red Stables, Clontarf

Selected Group Exhibitions

2025 Dublin Art Book Fair, An Outer Reflection of an Inner Reality Book, Karen Ebbs
Out of Light, City Assembly House
Art Riddler, One Charlemont Square
Court House Gallery, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, curated by Gabhan Dunne
And Nobody Answered…, City Assembly House, invited artist
Scene & Heard, Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, invited artist

2024 Crosscurrents, Project at Lexicon Gallery, Claire Halpin, curator
Duende, curated by Sean Molloy, ArtNetDLR Group Show
Pallas for Gaza, Pallas Project +Studios, in aid of United Agency Relief
The Ladder Is Always There, Draoicht, Shelter Collective

2023 Climate and Health, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin
Art Riddler, Studio 10 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
Sculpture In Context, Botanical Gardens
Royal Hibernian Academy 193rd Annual Exhibition
Boyle Arts Festival
Transience, Art Net Dlr, Walters Dun Laoghaire
Hang Tough Contemporary, Selected, Winter Print Show

2022 Painting as Expression, National Treasury Management Agency, Dublin
New Beginnings, The Lab Gallery,

2021 Hang Tough Contemporary, Winter Print Show
Metamorphosis, Art Net Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, (Juried Selection)
Pluid Project, Farmleigh House OPW, in aid of Pieta House, Dublin. Claire Halpin
Revival, Art Net Dun Laoghaire
Painting in the Pandemic, National Treasury Management Agency, Dublin
Transition, Art Net Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, online exhibition
Hark Winter Show, Hambly & Hambly, Enniskillen, Fermanagh

2019 Trajectory, The NCAD Gallery, in aid of The Rape Crisis Centre, Dublin
A Quiet Space, Collaborative Well-being project, NCAD

2018 Liminal Space, A Process Space NCAD Sybil Connelly, Dublin

2014 Pearse Museum, Dublin

2013 The Council of European Union Brussels HQ Justus Lipsius Building

2012 London Design Festival, selected by the Crafts Council of Ireland

2010 Gormley’s Fine Art Gallery Group Exhibitions