Karen Watkins
After honing her craft in acrylic painting and taking her influences such as contemporary surrealism, Don Bluth, Jim Henson, Tim Burton, and Julie Taymor, Watkins uses mostly nature and surreal imagery as vehicles to express triumphs and tribulations of the human spirit. Also in her paintings using narrative and symbolism Watkins delves into the mysteries, beauty, and eeriness of life with whimsical and art nouveau elements. She also makes handmade dry felted soft sculptures usually of animals and woodland scenes out of roving and keeping in the style of her paintings. She was born and grew up in central Indiana and came to Columbus, Ohio to study art at Columbus College of Art and Design to study illustration, design, and painting. She earned a Bachelor degree in illustration at CCAD in 2002. She now resides in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with her husband Carl and cats Cleo and Calvin. She exhibits her art mostly in galleries. Please contact her at karenwatkinsartist@gmail.com if you are interested in her work.
Exhibitions and Representation:
October 2022 - Guest Artist Show at Valkarie Gallery in Denver, Colorado
January 2020 to 2021 - Resident Artist at Valkarie Gallery in Denver, Colorado
November 2020 - Guest Artist at Balefire Goods in Arvada, Colorado
February 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Annual Chinese New Year Invitational Group Show at Valkarie Gallery in Lakewood, Colorado
October 2018 - Guest Artist at Valkarie Gallery in Lakewood, Colorado
February 2018 - Preview Show at Valkarie Gallery in Lakewood, Colorado
February 2017 - September 2017 Present Representation at Kasum Contemporary Fine Art in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Gallery Closed
December 2016 - January 2017 "Wishlist" Group Show at Speakeasy Art Gallery in Boonton, New Jersey
April 2013 - August 2017 at 45 Degree Gallery in Colorado Springs, Colorado
May 2010 - Present - Part Owner and Artist of Carl Bork and Karen Watkins Studio/Gallery in Salida, Colorado
August 2015 - Artwork displayed backstage at Gentlemen of the Road Music Festival in Salida, Colorado
December 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2007 "Fancy Tiger's Holiday Handmade" Juried Alternative Arts and Crafts Show in Denver, Colorado
November 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009 Annual Solo Show at Tea and Cakes in Boulder, Colorado October 6th, 2012 "Fall Horseshoe
Market" Juried Art and Vintage Market in Denver, Colorado August 2012 "IndyInk's 10th Anniversary" Group Show at IndyInk in Denver, Colorado May
2012 "Aquatic Beings" Solo Show at The Shoppe in Denver, Colorado March 2012 "Square Footage" Group Show at Plastic Chapel in Denver, Colorado
November 2011- January 2012 "Small Stuff 5" at Bear and Bird Gallery in Lauderhill, Florida
May 2011 Solo Show at Mod Livin' in Denver, Colorado
April-May 2011 Solo Show at The Shoppe in Denver, Colorado
October-November 2010 "Dia de Los Muertos" Group Show at Studio 12 in Denver Colorado
July 2010 "None Other" Group Show at Indy Ink in Denver, Colorado
January 2010 "Pabst Blue Ribbon Art Show" Group Show at Indy Ink in Denver, Colorado
November-December 2009 "Astatine" Group show at Halogen Gallery in Seattle, Washington
November-December 2009 "Critters" Group Show at Bailey Gallery in Los Angeles, California
November 2009- "Where the Wild Things Art" Group Show at Illiterate Magazine in Denver, Colorado
March-April 2009- Solo Show at Plastic Chapel "Fatally Cute: New Art by Karen Watkins" in Denver, Colorado
2002-2007 Illustrator and Staff Member of Taste Like Chicken Magazine under the pseudonym Sal Swayzo