Karen Larson Turner
For Karen Larson Turner, becoming an artist was the natural continuation of
her favorite childhood pastime. She began drawing when she was old enough to
hold a pencil, and by the age of fourteen was selling her work. With watercolors and a block of paper on her lap, Karen discovered the joys
of painting outdoors. A summer resident of Martha’s Vineyard, her first
works were conceived and executed in the pleasant surrounds of the
Island’s historic Victorian cottages, where she received many commissions
for house portraits. During high school, her parents’ gift of a portable easel furthered
Karen’s enjoyment of outdoor painting, and she learned to work on
tourist-packed sidewalks as well as on solitary, sand-whipped beaches. Karen graduated from Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Michigan) in 1991 with a
BFA. There, her studies in art history and life drawing impressed the
expressive potential of the human anatomy, and she began to paint the figure in
allegorical and metaphorical compositions. Although favoring oils for figure
work, watercolor remained the medium of choice for her landscapes. In 1991 Karen was first featured at an exhibition at the Granary Gallery of
Martha’s Vineyard, where she continues to display a large body of work
each season. After Calvin College, Karen’s love for the craftsmanship of
traditional oil painting inspired her to further study at the School of
Representational Art in Chicago, Illinois. Modeled after the 19th
century Atelier, or studio, SORA provides the mentorship of three master
painters for students embarking on a rigorous study of classical technique.
Karen completed four years of study with the school, honing a mastery of
anatomy, the figure, portraiture, and the still life. Her final year was
devoted almost exclusively to one major work: Thirst, a visual parable standing
over six feet tall and involving five human figures. After completing the program in 1996, Karen set to work as a full time
painter, working equally in watercolor and oil. Her work is displayed at the
Granary Gallery of Martha’s Vineyard, Powers Gallery of Acton,
Massachusetts, and The Summer House Gallery of Highlands, North Carolina. Most
recently, Karen has become a featured artist at the Wells Gallery of Charleston,
South Carolina. She currently maintains a summer studio on the Vineyard as well
as a year-round studio in Charleston, South Carolina. Seven of Karen’s watercolors are now available as limited edition
prints. Education1996 The School of Representational Art, Chicago, Illinois (four year
post-graduate course of study in traditional methods of drawing and
painting 1991 Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, BFA Awards2004 selected to execute mural series in the grand staircase of The
Sanctuary, Kiawah Island, SC 1997-1993 All Island Art Show, Martha’s Vineyard (Best of Show, Oil,
1995; First Place, Oil, 1995, 1996; First Place, Watercolor, 1996; Second Place
Watercolor, 1997, 1995; Third Place, Watercolor, 1993 1993 John Stobart Foundation (studies at SORA grant) 1991-92 Frances Hook Foundation (independent studies, grants) 1991 Calvin College Juried Exhibition (Third Place) 1991 Westford Regional Art Exhibit, Westford MA (Second Place) 1990 Pat Snyder Verduin Art Scholarship (studies at Calvin College,
scholarship) 1989 Sandra Bowden Art Scholarship (studies at Calvin College,
scholarship 1987-1990 Lexington Arts and Crafts Society Scholarships (studies at Calvin College, scholarship.) Exhibitions 1991-2005 The Granary Gallery, Martha’s Vineyard, MA.(three person
show) 1998 The Summer House Gallery, Highlands, North Carolina (solo
exhibition) 1997 Calvin College Center Art Gallery, Grand Rapids, Michigan
(invitational group exhibition) 1997-1998 Windham House Miniatures Show, Greenvale, NY(group
exhibition) 1995-1998 Powers Gallery, Acton, MA(group exhibitions) 1995 Francesca Andersen Fine Art Miniatures Show, Lexington, MA (group
exhibition) Click here to visit Karen's page at the Wells Gallery.
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Karen's Sample Works:
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