Karen Nell McKean
Biographical Info I have always been captivated by the world’s beauty and driven to recreate it through my oil paintings. My life’s journey as an award-winning oil painter has been fueled by my innate passion for art, from my early days as a prodigy in Chicago to my current life in Oregon, Wisconsin. My attention to detail, use of color and commitment to authenticity are qualities that set my work apart. In my work, I am particularly drawn to mysterious and magical realist images that emerge from dreams and my imagination, but I also enjoy creating human and animal portraits, impressionistic landscapes, and even some photo-realistic depictions. As an equestrian, I take great pleasure in painting horses as well. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to honing my skills and technique as an oil painter. I was consistently enrolled in private art lessons during my early school years. One of my early works is on permanent display at the Boy Scout Hall of Fame in Pennsylvania. Another was a painting interpreting the story of ‘The Blind Men and the Elephant’ which was commissioned as a gift to Paul Tillich, the famous theologian. Besides the private tutoring I received as a child, I studied art at The Art Institute of Chicago, University of Illinois, and University of Wisconsin. In my adult life this dedication has led me to create artworks for various exhibitions, solo shows, private clients, and public spaces such as Epic Systems Software and Ovens of Brittany restaurant group (of which I was a founding member). One of my impressionistic landscapes has now been chosen to illustrate the 2024 month of April for the Dane Arts Calendar published in Madison, WI. I currently have 11 pieces on permanent display at Epic Systems Software. I am represented by Raven’s Wish gallery in Janesville, WI and The Oregon Art Center in Oregon, WI. I am a juried member of Madison Art Guild receiving the best of show oil painting award in the 2020 UW Hospital Salon show. I am currently the Events Director for 14 South Artists Inc. and have served on that organization’s jury panel for accepting new members. I am also a member of Wisconsin Regional Art Association and a participant in the Wisconsin Regional Artists Program where I have received numerous award recognitions and Statewide awards as well as The People’s Choice Award at the Janesville WRAP. I own a beautiful post and beam log art studio where I teach and sponsor various art events and spiritual retreats. I have also presented my own shows there. I love making art, and I invite you to share in my passion, explore the vivid colors and fascinating light effects in my paintings, and let yourself be drawn into the captivating world I create.
Level South Central Wisconsin Chapter
Membership Type Member