The Faces I’ve Seen.

The Faces I’ve Seen.
Solo Exhibition by Karen Cooper
December 16th, 2024 – January 11th, 2025 At The Octagon Community Gallery

About this solo exhibition:

Exhibition Dates:
December 16th, 2024 – Exhibition Opening Day
December 19th, 2024 – Exhibition Reception 6PM – 7PM in the Community gallery
January 11th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes

Artist Biography:

I am a watcher. 
If someone with an interesting face, or someone who looks like they might be great in a painting, is out there on a sidewalk somewhere in the world, then I say ‘game on’. It’s time to capture some reference material. Lots of these captures come via my camera. On a perfect day, some of these random, and often unknowing ‘models’ are stationary long enough to make it to my sketchbook. I have said the bottom line and always the focus, is that the painting be a thing of substance and solidity and interest and beauty. But here’s something I am observing as my work matures – I no longer like playing it safe. I find it important and necessary to NOT paint safe – but rather to see the challenge, accept it, and give it my best shot.

Karen was born and raised in Nebraska, and then moved across the river to live in Iowa. From 2013 thru 2017, Karen lived in Lipetsk, Russia – long enough for the power and beauty of Russian impressionist art to make a potent impact. Study with a talented figurative artist while in Lipetsk, increased the desire/need to draw with substance and clarity, as part of the painting process. Karen has now returned to live, and paint in Grinnell, Iowa.