Karen Cornelius

My personal approach to painting tends to be intensive while I’m in the mood, and then I tend to step away for weeks or longer.  During the time when I am not wielding a paint brush I am consciously observing details in nature, the play of light on subjects, and compositions while snapping many photos as reference for future paintings.  These non-painting times are my incubation periods where I absorb visually and mentally both my surroundings, books pertaining to art, and works by other artists that speak to me.

My so called “slumps” are actually times to recharge my batteries.  Spending hours with my camera, watching patterns in waves, driftwood, stones, and feathers always gives me fresh insights.  

It is truly a blessing to live in such a wild area as southeast Alaska with it’s wealth of visual images.  I want to convey that beauty and the need to safeguard it to the viewer.  To me this is a way to share my joy in the wonder of God’s creation and if I can do that, my efforts will have been worthwhile.  There is so much that I want to capture!

When I truly feel “inside” my painting my heart sings with joy.  That is how happy I am to paint!