Karen Boone, a natural artist

I am a nature lover and backpacker creating sustainable art using natural pigments. I have backpacked in Patagonia Chile, Costa Rica, the Grand Canyon, John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada, Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Utah, Peru, Canadian Rockies, The Cascades, Switzerland and many others. I make sketches in the field, then creates larger pieces in the studio, focusing on nature’s powerful colors and energy. I forage for small pieces of clay, dry and crush them with a pestle and mortar to mix with walnut oil. I stretch my canvases using organic cotton and plant-based gesso (no rabbitskin or horse hooves). My newest sculpture series I use found cardboard which I cut, sculpt, gesso and use earth pigments to paint bark-like textures.

Although self taught as a painter, I have my masters degree from the Basel School of Design Switzerland, and worked as a graphic designer for Pentagram Design NY and San Francisco, and for PAOS in Tokyo Japan. I am a 3-time Kentucky Derby Festival Poster artist, and currently live on 10 peaceful acres in Borden Indiana with Rick Runyon, my partner in adventure.

Recent Juried Shows and Exhibitions:

2022 Dreams, juried show that is featured on Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/show/artist-alliance-choicesort=partner_show_position&metric=in

2022 Dreams, a Juried show that is featured on Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/show/artist-alliance-dreams?sort=partner_show_position

2022: Assembly Required  juror Jen Tough, Jen Tough Gallery https://artistalliance.space/exhibitions/assembly-required

2022: Works on Paper juried by Kerry Downey https://artistalliance.space/exhibitions/worksonpaper?fbclid=IwAR33dkfOO6gudJtPx9tCM_0ASLMHvZwvmzdP2FQJ1H7i7ytXYTVOYItPNLE

2021: Imaginary Travels  juried show, juror John Yoyogi Fortes

https://artistalliance.space/exhibitions/imaginary-travel

2021: Art In Speed Park juried show, Indiana

2020: Multiplicity juried show, triptych, juror Diane Williams

https://artistalliance.space/exhibitions/multiplicity-challenge

2020: Flora-Fauna juried show Curator: Melissa Mohammadi

https://artistalliance.space/exhibitions/flora-fauna-challenge

2020: Natural Worlds, juror Michael Shemchuk  

https://artistalliance.space/exhibitions/natural-worlds 

2020: Home 4 pieces juried in Garfield Park Arts Center, Indianapolis

2020: https://naturalearthpaint.com/blog/interview-with-karen-boone-painting-with-the-mountains/

2019: American Red Cross commissioned painting for their corporate collection

2018: Solo show at the George at 42, Louisville’s most prestigious zip code.

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 http://www.louisvillevisualart.org/artebella/2018/1/18/vignette-karen-boone

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 and San Francisco, Graphic designer 1984-1989

BRS Amsterdam, Netherlands, design intern

Basel School of Design, Switzerland Masters

University of Louisville BA '82

Sacred Heart Academy '79