A show featuring highly-detailed paintings and drawings of birds depicted in isolation or abstract is coming to Abbotsford's Kariton Gallery Jan. 11 - Feb. 5.

Local artist Ellen Sereda calls the show Feathered, and it features mixed media pieces combined with drawing, painting and thread to express an intangible, subconscious connection people have to birds and nature.

"I realized after observing and studying birds and other animals, I find it difficult to romanticize wildlife and create conventional wildlife paintings," said Sereda.

"There isn't a species or area of Earth that hasn't been transformed or affected by human activity, and I have a compulsion to explore that reality in my work."

Sereda was born in Burlington, Ont. and moved to British Columbia in 1992, eventually settling in Mission with her husband and two children.

She abandoned her job in the non-profit sector and as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator to stay at home and raise her children.

Now that her children are older, she has gone back to her first love of making art and is pursuing her passion full time.

Sereda studied studio art and history at the University of Guelph and is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

The show will run Jan. 11 to Feb. 5 at the Kariton Art Gallery, located in Mill Lake Park at 2387 Ware St., Abbotsford. Gallery hours are Tues-day to Friday from 12 - 5 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday from 9: 30 a.m. - 4: 30 p.m.

Sereda will be at an opening reception on Sunday, Jan. 13, from 1 - 4 p.m. More information about the artist can be found at ellensereda. com.