Karen Watson
When I initially took up drawing and painting after a 20 year hiatus, I worked in pen and ink, charcoal and watercolor. However, after being introduced to soft pastels, I've thoroughly submerged myself into the medium. I find pastels incredibly vibrant and energizing to draw/paint with. It's fun and messy and I feel like a child coloring again. I paint primarily from photo references, sometimes using several images to create a more interesting composition. My work, for the most part is representational and I am drawn to landscapes. I enjoy the actual process of painting and i like to have fun while i paint. I listen to loud music, (all kinds) and like to lose myself in the moment while I'm creating.

In terms of process, I don't use any one type of approach. I work on sanded paper because it allows you to build up layers of pastel and its forgiving. I may start with a fairly detailed preliminary sketch or under painting in order to get my composition just so, or, I'll jump right in, applying color, values and shapes where it makes sense to me, ultimately creating a balanced composition. I'm pretty bold with color and use a wide range, not always the color you would expect to see.


"Lost Lake"
Pastel


"Inspiration Canyon"
Pastel



"Asspen Trees"
Pastel
Resume - Karen Watson

1012 5th St.
Hood River, OR. 97031
ph. 541- 386- 7143 s email twatson@gorge.net

Juried Society Memberships
Oregon Pastel Society 2003,2004

Juried Shows / Awards
2000 Artists of the Gorge, Stevenson, WA . 2nd Place
2001 Artists of the Gorge, Stevenson, WA.. Honorable Mention
2002 Art in the Garden, The Dalles Art Center, OR. 1st Place and People's Choice
2002 Hail Mid Columbia, Hood River, OR. Honorable Mention
2002 Gorge Artists Create, The Dalles Art Center, Honorable Mention
2003 Hail Mid Columbia
2003 Artists of the Gorge, Stevenson, WA.. People's Choice
2003 Mirror Pond Gallery, Bend OR., 2nd Place and Honorable Mention

Juried International Show
Northwest Pastel Society's 17th International Show, Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle, WA., 2003

Individual/Group Show
November 2001, Art for Start, Portland OR.
May 2003 The Dalles Art Center with artist Sally Bailey
October 2003, The Frame Gallery, Hood River, OR.
April 2004 Columbia Art Gallery, Hood River, OR.

Juried Arts and Crafts Festivals
Trout lake Festival of the Arts 2003
Art in the Pearl, Portland OR August 30, September 1,2 ,25 2003
Scottsdale Arts Festival, Scottsdale, AZ., March 2004
Portland Arts Festival, Portland, OR. June 2004
Bellevue Arts & Crafts Fair, Bellevue, WA. July, 23,24,25 2004

Affiliations
The Frame Gallery, Hood River, OR
The Columbia Art Gallery, Hood River, OR
The Dalles Art Center, The Dalles , OR

Education
1977-1979 College of Creative Studies, UCSB. CA. Fine Arts
Community Ed Workshops with Irene Fields, Andrew Pate and Judith Cunningham
Creative Arts Community, Portland, OR Menucha Art Camp 1999, 2000 & 2002
Lots of Practice