Rapid River Magazine: How did you get into painting?

Karen Keil Brown: I have been creating art as long as I can remember. After graduating from college with an art degree, the time I have dedicated to my craft has varied through out the years. When we were raising our family, I concentrated on commissions and seeking out local areas to show and sell my work. I enjoyed being an art teacher for 10 years in the private school system and sharing my art knowledge with our children.

As the years progressed, I created more time to paint and developed a sustainable art business. I joined the coop, Asheville Gallery of Art, and Gold Leaf Design Gallery in Chattanooga TN, and three years ago I moved my art studio out of the house and into the River Arts District, first in the Warehouse Studios, and currently at Pink Dog Creative Studios on Depot St. The River Arts District is a great location with fabulous energy, creative people and good exposure for selling.

RRM: What influences you?

KKB: God’s perfect nature influences me and life inspires me! I was raised in the beautiful mountains of WNC and I have been marveled for many years by the power and beauty of nature and its seasons and cycles. I take lots of photographs while hiking or biking around the area and I use them to inspire my compositions not to dictate them. I paint intuitively as I try to communicate to the viewer the message of a peaceful, tranquil sense of positive energy. Artist influences: Monet, JM William Turner, Van Gogh, Marc Rothko, Joan Mitchell.

RRM: How would you describe your style?

KKB: My landscapes have an ethereal, contemporary, semi-abstract style. My oil paintings often have rolling misty fog dipping into the valleys and mountain ridges. Many people visiting the area want to have a painting that reminds them of the smokey or blue ridge mountains, and I enjoy trying to convey that on canvas by stimulating their imagination at the same time. I have tried different mediums but I prefer oil paint because I like the way it flows and mixes on the canvas.

RRM: What is in the future for your art?

KKB: I try not to plan too far ahead because I want to be open to new opportunities. I am always looking for something new to inspire me. Today I am working more abstract and in stronger colors. I continue to give back to the community by donating my art to non profits and volunteering in our art community. I am fortunate to be able to follow my passion and to create art work that brings joy into my buyers home or office.

Karen Keil Brown has works on display in Brevard, at the Element Spa, October 23, 2013 through January 24, 2014, and November 9-10 during the River Arts District Art Walk open studio tour.

Visit her website for more information: www.karenkbrown.com

Karen Keil Brown
Fine Art Original Paintings
Ethereal Landscapes, Oil and Acrylic
Pink Dog Creative, Suite 160
Depot St., Asheville, NC 28801