About the Artist
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Art that speaks from the heart
 
 
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Artist Statement

The world is a dangerous place, full of turmoil and chaos.  War, senseless violence, natural disaster, broken relationships, all work together to destroy the will to live.  Without the victorious presence of hope, we would all surrender to the gathering storm. 

 

How does beauty exist in the midst of sorrow and darkness?  When I consider the breathtaking majesty of birth, the budding of a flower after the winter, the faithful protection of a mother for her vulnerable child, I see the gifts that stir up hope and faith and love, that provide the strength to rebuild after disaster has struck, to continue the struggle in the midst of a painful relationship   It is the essence of this quest that I express in my work.  Color and shape, darkness and light combine to communicate a passionate appreciation for the gift of life and a heart of thankfulness for the One who gave His life so that we might truly live.

You can contact me at karen@karenwongart.com 

 

   
 

My Story

I loved to draw as a child and always got in trouble for it.  My new theory is that a person's true passion can be discovered by looking at what they got in trouble for as kids.

A very active and adventurous life (hobby farming, politics, life overseas, family tragedies) all intervened so that the foray into art did not begin until I was 50 years old, when my youngest daughter was three and a half.  I began with watercolor and have since branched out into other media, exploring new ways to express my heart to you.

I've studied with Oneida Hammond, Floy Zitten, Jane Hofstetter, Ferenc Besze, Karen Frey, Jean Grastorf, Donna Zagotta, Mike Bailey and Arne Westerman and Katherine Chang Liu.   All have taught me much and shown me how much room there is to grow.

The adventure of life continues...

AWARDS

People's Choice, SCVWS 2003

Best of Watercolor, AVARTFEST 2004

Third Place, ART 21 Juried Exhibit 2004

Honorable Mention, LGAA Juried Open 2005

Honorable Mention, Arts Alive Juried 2005

Merit Award, AVARTFEST, Triton Museum 2005

Best of Show, SCVWS 2005

GROUP SHOWS

SCVWS Annual 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

ARTFEST at the Triton Museum 2004, 2005

ART21 Western States Juried 2004

LGAA Juried Open 2003, 2005

Arts Alive Juried Open 2005

SOLO SHOWS

Border's Books, Los Gatos 2003

Palace Cafe, Sunnyvale, 2005, 2006

Open Studios 2003, 2004, 2005

Arts Alive Cruz Cafe 2005

Lady Circuit, Sunnyvale 2006, 2007

Harvest Plaza, Morgan Hill 2006

Avalon Art and Yoga Center, Palo Alto 2006