Featured Artist Karen Keough

Versatile artist Karen Keough shares a collection of tranquil landscapes using a variety of mediums. Enjoy her portfolio and visit her website to learn more.

 

 

It’s hard to remember when I lived without art being a central focus of my life. As a young child, I watched my mother sketch, do calligraphy, pottery, oil paint and do watercolors. At the age of nine my mother taught me watercolors. She taught me to be free and to paint loosely.

 

 

She encouraged me to let the painting flow and to channel my instincts. With her advice I learned to reserve my judgments and not preemptively evaluate my paintings. She taught me to fall in love with the process!

 

 

My high school and college art classes and teachers reinforced my love for painting as well. They seemed to inspire me with each new lesson. For five years, I concentrated on sketching detailed fashion designs. I am positive that the time I spent sketching helped to develop detail in my artwork.

 

 

I rely heavily on watercolors to process my emotions during difficult times like the passing of loved ones, 9/11 and Covid. During these times I search for solace in the process and along the way I learned the importance of acceptance.

 

 

I enjoy sharing my talents with anyone and everyone from family members, private painting lessons, group lessons and teaching at The Vocational School in Wakefield, Massachusetts. I have painted with children, the elderly, nuns, veterans, and church groups. Each group has taught me the importance of learning new things. I continue to learn from all of these people in my life.

 

 

Every day I pick up my pencil or paintbrush to think about a new piece, to imagine colors, values and to see what I can learn. Sometimes I have an idea in mind especially during commissioned pieces but most times I give up control to the brush!

 

 

The excitement and inspiration of watercolors for me is how easy it is to give up control to the medium. I find it beautiful and a release to let the art tell me what it wants to be. A lot of times I don’t get attached to the outcome. I enjoy the process. I paint very loosely, applying wet-in-wet techniques.

 

 

My greatest inspiration for painting is the ocean. The motion of the waves, the shades of the clouds, the softness of the sand dunes and the emptiness of the sea always challenges me and brings great happiness. The older I get, the more I see how painting opens up my life. It is such a gift. I couldn’t be more grateful.

 

Karen Keough invites you to follow on Instagram.

 

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Click below to sign up for our twice-monthly email. You’ll get all this plus opportunities and special offers that you can’t get anywhere else!