I find painting to be challenging every time I start a new project. Keeping a positive outlook on your work is important, and I try to stretch myself in learning new skills, experimenting with new materials and subject matter. ~ Karen Kelley

 

Artist Karen Kelley was fortunate in life to have a family that valued art and encouraged her love of painting. Both her grandmother and aunt were accomplished artists and Karen recalls loving to see their work. After graduating in Art Education at Missouri University, she taught high school art for two years before going on to various positions in the art world. While her children were school aged, Karen started a picture framing career which lasted 37 years. She recently sold her frame shop and is now free to focus her energy again towards painting and teaching.

 

Karen Kelley has held memberships with Mid-Missouri Fine Arts and Gateway Pastel Society. She has had work shown in many juried exhibitions including showings at the Foundry Art Center, St. Louis Artists’ Guild, International Association of Pastel Societies, The Creamery Arts Center, Northeast Pastel Society Exhibition, New York, and the Shaw Art Fair. Karen is also an avid Plein Air painter and has participated in many competitions including  Augusta Plein Air, Moab UT Plein Air, Victor, CO Plein Air, and Steelville Plein Air. Karen has won a plethora of juried awards, most recently  Best of Show and two first place awards in painting at St. Peters Cultural Arts Center. 

 

View the Exhibition Album