Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Karen: “I am an artist living and working in West Hartford, Connecticut in the USA. I create contemporary realism pieces in pastel and watercolor.”

When did you start painting?
Karen: “I have been creating art since 2001.”

What art materials do you prefer?
Karen: “I use pastel, watercolor, oil paint, paint brushes, sanded supports, watercolor paper, homemade paper.”

What subjects do you use for your art?
Karen: “I love painting from life when I can, so that includes still life, the natural world and the human form. I will use my own photographic references or a combination when I cannot paint from life.”

Did you study art?
Karen: “I did not have a formal art education but wish I had. Over the years, I have studied with pastel, watercolor and oil painters whose work I admired. Drawing did not come easy to me, I am a painter by nature, but practiced drawing and took some drawing classes at the Art Students League, NYC.”

Is art a hobby or a career?
Karen: ” Art is my career. I paint almost every day, I teach classes and workshops in pastel, give instructional demos for art organizations. I sell my work and show mostly in national juried exhibits. I am not officially gallery represented but that is my long term career goal.”

Fun Fact?
Karen: ” I was a Physical Therapist in my previous career.”

Have you exhibited your art work?
Karen: ” Yes, I have in the following places:
– “A Century of Connecticut Art from the New Haven Paint & Clay Club”, Lyman Allyn Museum,2020
– “Pastels of the World in Bourbonnais International Exhibition “, The Orangery of the  Château de La Louvière, Montlucon,  France,2020 (Postponed to 2021 due to Pandemic)
– “Capturing Life and Beauty: Women Artists of the New Haven Paint and Clay Club”, New Haven Museum, 2019
My pastel paintings have been selected by jury for inclusion in many National and International Exhibits, too numerous to list here.

I have been feautured in the following art journals:
Practique des Arts,  vol 53, 2020
Practique des Arts, vol 47,2018
Pastel Journal April 2021,2014,2012
Southwest Art Magazine,”Fur and Feathers”, 2021

Which artist do you admire?
Karen: “John Singer Sargeant.”

Connect with Karen Israel
karenisrael59@gmail.com
www.artbykarenisrael.com
Facebook
Instagram