About the Artist

From rural landscapes and garden to still life and figure models, a range of subjects inspire me to paint.  I work primarily with oil paint on canvas; on location or in the studio. My color palette, paint application and gestural marks are carefully chosen to describe each subject.  I am particularly drawn to scenes with dramatic lighting or scenes that evoke a mood that I aim to capture in my work.  My main studio is in Galesville, Wisconsin. 

Ideally I make my paintings on location or “en plein air”.  I pack up my painting supplies and jump into my vehicle to explore the outdoor world and search for new scenes and subjects.  Once I set up my easel, the sights, the smells and the sounds of that particular place captivate me.  By activating my senses, the feeling of actually being in a particular place is carried through in my paintings.  At other times I work in my studio from a figure model or a still life subject.  Although in my studio, I still aim to capture a particular feeling about my subject that goes beyond its original nature, my unique interpretation that is painterly, yet lifelike.

I have been recognized for my achievements in the medium of oil.  My painting, Childhood, has been chosen by the Oil Painters of America to be featured in their first Juried Salon Show of Traditional Oils in Petoskey, MI June 22-August 31,2013.

I was awarded Best of Show for The Slough, at the Port Wing, WI Plein Air Painting Festival (2011), a judge’s award for the painting, Together, at the Red Wing Arts Association Plein Air Event (2012) and Best of Show for "Rocking River Town"(a nocturne) at the Durand Plein Air Painting Event (2013) and Best of Show at the Port Wing Painting Festival (2015). In 2016 I received a second in both the main and the quick paint categories in La Crosse, WI.

Painting and pursuing art has been a lifelong passion.  From a young age I was intrigued by art, which led me to study Fine Art at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. (BS 1974)  I continued my studies at the Art Student’s League in New York, NY. (1984) I have since taught many classes in watercolor, oil and drawing.  I also continue to learn and challenge myself by taking workshops with artists who I admire, including Kenn Backhaus, Robert Lemler and Kevin Macpherson.

I enjoy sharing my painting with you! All of the paintings are framed in high quality appropriate frames unless noted otherwise.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank-you for stopping by,

Kari Hogden