Artist's statement
Full Artist's statement
ARTIST STATEMENT
Karen Van Allen
My work explores the environmental images that impress me with a particular interest in finding complexity in the midst of spaciousness. Paintings emerge from various trips, dreams, meditations....life. In all my work, my wish for the viewer is to rest in the quiet spots while relating to the surrounding complexity. The medium is acrylic paint on canvas.
My graduate degree is an MSW from Catholic University and undergraduate from the University of Maryland with a major in psychology and minor in art.
I have studied art at the University of Maryland, the Yellow Barn in Glen Echo, Maryland, the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia, and The British Institute in Florence, Italy. I have participated in many solo and group art shows in the Washington, D.C. area.