KAREN HOWARD HANLON

{ A BIT ABOUT KAREN }

I've always believed that life is about people and the experiences that connect and divide us. Through art we get a window into a persons intimate experience of the world, which is pretty extraordinary and is what I love most about art. As I investigate the world around me through my own artwork, I gain a deeper understanding of myself — I can find and lose myself at the same time.

 

From a very early age I wanted to be an artist — to travel to Paris and set up my easel in Artist's Square, or live near the shore and paint "en plein air" like Monet. As an artist in Sarasota, Florida, I'm living the dream, although I took some detours arriving here. I spent 25 years working in advertising as a graphic designer and almost a decade as an art and photography teacher. Scattered between are hundreds of murals, portraits and landscapes in oil, acrylic, pastel and pencil. I never stopped painting and never forgot the dream.

 

Lately I've been working in oil and in a large format, painting some of the birds that are native to this area. It's been amazing to get up close and see their amazing personalities. My next series will be an exploration of portraits, focusing on musicians and artists. I want to express their free-spirited nature by using a looser and more expressive style. I'll be sure to post them so you can let me know what you think.

I hope you enjoy what you see.

 

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    Born: Massachusetts, USA

    Educated: Missouri State University

    Traveled: Philippines, Honduras, Belize, Mexico, Canada, British Islands, and much of the United States.

    Influences: Pino, Liepke, Vermeer

“Art enables us to find ourselves

and lose ourselves at the same time"

~ Thomas Merton

WHY I CREATE ART:  For me, life is a series of fragmented thoughts, experiences and emotions. and creating art brings everything together. I don't have to put words to it or try to rationalize anything. I just let the paint create the images and allow them to speak for me.

GALLERY/STUDIO

See my work at the Lisa L Gallery/Studio in Towles Court

 

My Newest Works

Art Classes

Towles Court Art Walk

THE WATER'S EDGE

My latest works show things you'll see at the water's edge. These oil paintings were done on canvas or wood panels, showing egrets, spoonbills, pelicans and other shore birds. I've also painted people on the shore dancing and walking with flowing fabrics, which create movement and help the viewer really get a sense for the blowing breeze. These works have been displayed in galleries around Sarasota and some can be seen at the Lisa L Gallery/Studio. You can also view them in my online gallery below.

 

I'm currently working on a series of works in a looser, bolder style, contrasting order in chaos. I'll be displaying them as they are finished.

ART CLASSES ARE FUN AND CREATIVE

Have you ever wanted to take art classes but thought you had to have some experience to do it? You don't! You just need a passion or curiosity and you'll have a great time and walk away with a beautiful work of art that YOU created. Classes are held on Tuesday nights from 6:30-9:00. For more info and a full list of classes, click here or just keep scrolling down.

 

{ Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Pablo Picasso }

ART WALKS ARE THE 3RD FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH

Come stroll under the stars of beautiful Towles Court and visit artists studios and galleries. Photography, design, textiles, watercolor, oil and more. From abstract to realism, there's always something interesting going on in Towles Court and the Friday Art Walk is a great way to see what's new. Stop by the Lisa L Gallery/Studio to see live demonstrations and even register for free give-aways. See you this month!

 

{ The next Art Walk is Friday, September 15th }

ART CLASSES

Talent doesn't make you an artist, it's the desire to create art. You can make beautiful works of art by learning the basic techniques and processes that great artists use everyday. Awaken your creativity. Sign up today!

Classes

{ To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.  ~Pema Chodron }

ART WORK

ON CREATING ART: For me, putting my brush to the canvas is like falling into a temperpedic mattress with a thick, down comforter and 600 thread count Cariloha sheets. There's this audible "sigh", like I've thinking about this all day and it feels so good.

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KAREN'S MUSINGS

A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT ART

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{ To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.  ~Kurt Vonnegut }

GET IN TOUCH

If you want more information please contact me

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Friday's and Saturday's:  11am to 4pm

+1 . 941 . 363 . 1250

info@karenhoward.com

Studio Location

Lisa L Gallery  Studio

1975 Morrill Street

Sarasota, Florida  34236

 

Life is too short. I've decided that it's time that I focus on that which makes me happy; my family, friends, faith and my art. I don't know where this journey will lead me, but I'm all in, every step of the way. Thanks for taking the time to visit my website.

Art Walks:  Every 3rd Friday of the Month. 5pm to 9pm

Studio Hours

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KAREN HOWARD HANLON

Artist  •  Designer  •  Teacher

©

© 2015 Copyright Karen Howard Hanlon

MAY GOD BLESS YOU