Karen Boone, a natural artist

In my art I use digging, foraging, crushing, scratching, scraping, twisting, smoothing, eroding and time as a way to connect to the land. For pigment I forage for clays like yellow ochre and charred wood on our property or creeks, then grind in a pestle mortar to mix with walnut oil. I apply paint to canvas, recycled cardboard or air-dry clay, with a base layer of plant-based gesso, which contains no horse hooves or rabbit skin. I use found materials from nature, like sticks and rocks to create sculpture and also for mark making. I backpack and hike in pristine wilderness and have been vegetarian most of my life, so it is essential for me to work with materials that are as sustainable as possible. 

I have my masters degree from the Basel School of Design Switzerland, and worked as a graphic designer for Pentagram Design New York and San Francisco, and also two years in Tokyo, Japan. I  currently live on a peaceful little farm in Borden Indiana with my partner in adventure Rick Runyon.

Juried Shows, Exhibitions and Residencies:

2024: Mothering Me: Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center Group show Sept 21 thru Jan 2025

2024: Abide by the answer: Karen Boone & Rachel Singel  September 8th - Dec 31 Louisville Grows Healthy House Gallery 

2024: Blue Crack and Cardboard Trees purchased by the collection of Larry Shapin and Ladonna Nicolas https://www.shapinnicolasartproject.com

2024: Old GangstHERS: Swimming Hole Residency Online Exhibition and Artist Talk https://www.theswimminghole.org/projects-8

2024: I am Woman, Chestnuts and Pearls Gallery New Albany IN

2023 Intertwined – solo exhibit of paintings and sculptures, Mary Anderson Center Gallery, Mount Saint Francis Center for Spirituality, Opening Reception Sept. 7 2023 

2023: Swimming Hole Foundation Artist Residency, by invitation only Catskills NY https://www.theswimminghole.org/?fbclid=IwAR3hD237tDv2bkWlz2JCsXwksd0352wL_2nTMayvYTEA29yrANtG4jdMooI

2023 Taking Shape: Abstraction To Figuration featured on Artsy.net

2023 The Space Between, curated by Michael Shemchuk and featured on Artsy.net 

2022 Earthen – solo exhibit of paintings and sculptures, Mary Anderson Center Gallery, Mount Saint Francis Center for Spirituality 

2022: Mother Nature, juror Jen Tough, and featured on Artsy

2022: Choice, juried show featured on Artsy

2022: Dreams, a Juried show featured on Artsy

2022: Works on Paper juried by Kerry Downey 

2021: Imaginary Travels  juried show, juror John Yoyogi Fortes

2020: Multiplicity juried show, triptych, juror Diane Williams

2020: Flora-Fauna juried show Curator: Melissa Mohammadi

2020: Natural Worlds, juror Michael Shemchuk  

2018: Invited to Pine Mountain artist retreat, member of the Pine Mountain Collective in Appalachia

2018: Abstracts Online Exhibition Special Recognition out of 952 entries from 29 different countries and 40 states. https://www.lightspacetime.art/abstracts-2018-art-exhibition-painting-other-media-category/

2018: LVA artist vignette 

2015: International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) Silver Award: Best Commemorative Poster, Official KY Derby Festival Poster. Bronze Award: Best Commemorative Poster, Limited Edition Poster.

2015, 1999 and 1996: 3-time Kentucky Derby Festival Poster Artist

Work Experience/Education:

Karen Boone Design, graphic design/fine art since 1992

PAOS: Tokyo, Japan, Graphic designer 1990-1991

Pentagram Design, New York (junior designer for Peter Harrison) and San Francisco (senior designer for Kit Heinrichs) 1984-1989

BRS Amsterdam, Netherlands, design intern 1984

Basel School of Design, Switzerland Masters 1984

University of Louisville BA 1982

Sacred Heart Academy 1979