April 3 – May 1 at the SOBA Gallery, Bluffton, SC
Meet the artist – Opening Reception
Thursday, April 6th at the gallery from 5-7 p.m.
Event open to the public
“Bring Nature Home” is a collection of florals, birds, and local landscapes. This exhibit showcases my deep affection for the natural world. As much a plant nerd as a painter, I’m either getting my hands soiled in the garden or covered in paint in my studio.
My preferred medium is acrylics. I am fascinated by the way colors blend and layer to create depth and energy in a painting.
My style varies depending on my mood and the feeling I want to express for the subject. My inspiration can be anything from a garden bouquet to a closeup view of a butterfly or bee or a walk on a lowcountry beach. I’m captivated by it all. The works in this show range from small 6” X 6” to 12” x 12” paintings of florals and larger florals, coastal scenes, and shore birds. I hope viewers will find a piece that inspires them to bring a bit of nature into their homes.
Because I feel passionate about preserving natural resources and protecting the ecosystems I make it a practice to donate a portion of my sales to a variety of environmental organizations.
For my show “Bring Nature Home” I will be donating 30% of sales to the Hilton Head Audubon Society and the South Coast Region of the Coastal Conservation League.
“I have always enjoyed drawing, painting and messing around with art supplies. I received my first set of oil paints for my seventh birthday. As a child I also loved spending time outside gardening – I’d purchase seeds and 6 packs of marigolds with my allowance”.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Karen has always appreciated the beauty of coastal marshes and beaches. In her first career, Karen pursued a degree in Horticulture, eventually designing and maintaining gardens in Southampton, NY. While living in Southampton, Karen earned a degree in Fine Art at Long Island University and a Masters of Education at Stony Brook University. Art history classes introduced her to artists whose paintings continue to inspire her such as Claude Monet, Edward Manet, and Odilon Redon.
“Ahh… Monet! A few years ago I was fortunate to spend an entire week in a cottage 1/2 a mile from Monet’s home in Giverny with an artist friend. We were even able to paint on the grounds of his home in the gardens and by the lily pond after museum hours! I’ve been painting flowers ever since”.
After relocating to Orange County, NY, Karen started selling her artwork and began an art teaching career. Within a few years her work could be found in private and corporate collections including her largest work, a three panel, 15’ x 4’ painting at Better Homes and Rand Realty in Warwick, NY.
While living in the Hudson Valley Karen continued her studies at the Art Students League in NYC and in summer classes at the Cape Cod School of Art. Her studies allowed her to study with notable artists including Yoshi Higa, Max Ginsburgh, and Hilda Neely.
In 2021 Karen moved to Bluffton, SC where she resides with the love of her life and one of her greatest supporters in her creative endeavors. Working primarily in acrylic and watercolor, if she’s not gardening, Ms. Richards can be found outside sketching and painting or working in her studio. Her subjects vary from close up views of birds, butterflies and flowers to local landscapes.
Karen’s current focus is on creating and selling collections of her work and donating to local environmentally conscious groups.
