Karen Clark

I became interested in seedpods one summer when, as a result of a busy life, the garden had to fend for itself. One of the gifts of my neglect were the seedpods that had formed. Their amazing shapes and colors directly relate to purpose. The seedpod is tenaciously devoted to self-preservation and their forms describe unabashedly how they go about this.
I am a color addict, and I seek it everywhere. When forms such as seed pods interest me I have been known to pump up their colors, and add more whenever possible. Drama and aggressiveness are characteristics that I want to promote in these paintings and color, low, hi, dull and bright, makes it happen.
Since 1990 I have been concentrating my efforts on studio practice and on teaching Foundation art classes. My work has been exhibited around the US and is included in both private and public collections.

I am a graduate of Pratt Institute (Undergraduate degree in Integrative Studies, emphasis in Industrial Design). My MFA degree is also from Pratt Institute (Emphasis in Photography, Drawing and Painting).
I worked as a cabinet and fine woodworking apprentice for about four years; about two years with Siegfried Berdy in Denver, Colo and about 2 years with Robert Shimabukuro in Portland, OR.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017 Art+Science 2016 Sabbatical Studies The Steve Goldman Gallery AIPD, Portland, OR
2013 Seed Pods, The Steve Goldman Gallery AIPD, Portland, OR
2005 Relay, The Art Institute of Portland, Portland, OR
1998 Recent Paintings, Aberration Gallery, Portland, OR
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020 Art About Agriculture. Sept. 3-October 3.Jurors: Sally Cleveland, Patrick Collier, Dan Edge, Steve Graffe and Joan Truckenbrod
2020 Art around Oregon Juried Exhibition July 16- August29. (Virtual) Jurer: Jane Brumfield, owner Imprint Gallery
2020 Providence Art Club National Open Juried Exhibition. May 9-29,2020. (Virtual) Juro
2019 LA Artcore 5th Annual Juried Exhibit. Jurors:
Jill Moniz and Allison Agsten. LA Artcore Brewery .........Annex Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017Amuse Yeux: A Small Delight for the Eyes. Juror: Eriq Hochuli. Foot Hills Art Center, Golden Colo.
2016 Rot: The Secret Life of Trees The Arts Center, Corvallis OR and The Oregon Forestry Center, Portland, OR
2015 Nudes Downtown, Astoria, Oregon
2014 12th Around Oregon Annual, Juror: Martha Lee, Laura Russo Gallery. The Arts Center, Corvallis OR
2012 The Portrait, The Steve Goldman Gallery AIP...