English
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Filipino
Hindi
Persian
Portuguese
Punjabi
Russian
Spanish
Urdu
Vietnamese
Karen Woldemar VanWinkle
I’ve always been an artist. “Making stuff” soothes me, keeps me sane, and reminds me who I am. I was born in Oakland and raised in Richmond, California. For 28 years, I have taught grades 3-5 in WCCUSD. In July 2023, I secured my first art studio in at Epperson Studios in Crockett, California. I made a commitment to myself to paint at least once a week, to deepen my knowledge, refine my skills, and further my career as an artist.
Artist Statement
Please provide a brief description of your creative process, motivations, and inspirations:
I paint in oil to create modern tributes to the places I love. I’m deeply rooted in California and live in the East Bay. I love to draw, paint, and be anywhere near the ebb and flow of the tidal landscapes that surround San Francisco and San Pablo Bay. But my true obsession is documenting Yosemite National Park. I travel to Yosemite to camp, draw, and paint as often as I can. I learn or see something new every trip. My paintings begin from drawings in-person or around the campfire, from a photograph that I took on location. Then I map out the bones of the painting and block in shapes. I develop most of my paintings layer by layer, over multiple plein air adventures, and finish in my studio.
