ARTIST’S BIO/STATEMENT 

I am originally from Roseburg, Oregon. I grew up in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. My mother began painting when I was in junior high school. She taught me how to appreciate art. 

I have always loved creating. I have dabbled in rubber stamps, scrapbooking, writing stories, tole painting, card making, photography, pressing flowers and creating recipes in my kitchen. 

After my husband passed away and I retired, I tried mediums outside of tole painting with acrylics. 

I took a watercolor class. It was too detailed with masking and I knew it wasn’t for me. I do enjoy looser watercolor. 

I moved to Beaverton in 2017 and took art classes at the Elsie Stuhr senior center until Covid hit. I wanted to learn chalk pastel art. Getting my fingers in the medium and working the colors around a bit is so fun. My favorite subject to paint is animals. I still have much to learn and enjoy the journey of creating art. 

After Covid I was looking to find an art community again. I found the Village Gallery of Arts in Blick’s art store. A lady was shopping and I struck up a conversation with her. Sherry Hanson and she told me about VGA. I researched, visited the gallery, and now I am here enjoying being in the art community again with amazing artists. I have taken a few classes and will be taking more soon. I want to expand my art experience using other mediums. 

I have cards made from my original art pieces, which are for sale in the gallery. 

We are never too young or too old to create a masterpiece. 

Karen Hayter