First Friday Artist, Karen D'Angelo is here today. I met Karen some years ago while teaching at The Ink Pad in NYC. As so often happen, I learn as much from my students and art, life and combining the two as they from me.
Here's Karen.
These drawings are all under 5"x7"
"I now Fabriano or Saunders Waterford text laid finish papers for my little drawings. I always tear my edges with a deckle ruler or on the edge of a table too. For these paintings I made the watercolor paint using pigments. (I didn't include the edges because of a parallax issue.)
I work at Pratt Institute as director of marketing in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies in New York City, and do home care for my 88 year old mom who lives with me. I joined Pratt in 2004 as a student in search of increasing my computer graphics skills and quickly progressed to my current role because I just love continuing education for adults!
Sometimes people ask me how I'm capable of balancing these two demanding purposes and still find time for art. My reply to that is always: a few hours of making art each day helps me sort out my thoughts and just be me for a while. The creative process is my guide back to my Self when things get challenging, and it helps me make time for the right actions in my life.
My inspirations come from stories like The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis) and The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien) where there are solutions to problems and always a happy ending (or an opening to a sequel LOL), and the introspective processes I use while journaling, which might be like someone reading their tarot cards in search of answers to life's deeper questions."
Karen is such an inspiration on so many levels. Look how interesting those watercolor blends are - especially on the first two pieces. Wow! I can see the serenity in the doodling. It's tangible. I'm so happy to share her work and thoughts with you today.
These are fountain pen ink and watercolor, all under 5"x7"
Have a wonderful weekend! xo - Diana
I'm very impressed with Karen's work and that she makes her own watercolors!
Posted by: teri f | 10/02/2015 at 02:51 PM
I know Karen personally and think these are the most beautiful of hervart I have ever seen. Love love love these pieces! Fantastic seeing her work here.
Posted by: Michael Trent | 10/02/2015 at 04:33 PM
So glad that you highlighted the artwork of Karen. She is a wonderful artist and an incredible person.
Posted by: Seth | 10/02/2015 at 09:08 PM
Such beautiful artwork! So happy to see your post.
Posted by: Denise Spillane | 10/03/2015 at 12:40 AM
Gorgeous work, I love all the tiny details in the doodling. Wonderful to see Karen featured here!
Posted by: cheiron | 10/03/2015 at 07:35 AM
So cool! I remember making oil paints in school eons ago. I should dig up some more info on that
Posted by: Diana Trout | 10/03/2015 at 03:14 PM
Thanks for commenting, Michael. I love Karen’s drawings!
Posted by: Diana Trout | 10/03/2015 at 03:14 PM
I’ll second all of that Seth! Thanks for commenting.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 10/03/2015 at 03:15 PM
I was so happy to show her work.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 10/03/2015 at 03:16 PM
Thanks Cherion, It was a real pleasure to share her work.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 10/03/2015 at 03:16 PM
Well, dear everyone, this is wonderful. Thank you for all your kind words. This gives me fuel to continue and sets the bar higher. Thank you Diana for this great posting!!!
Posted by: Karen D'Angelo | 10/03/2015 at 07:48 PM
I was very happy to host you, Karen. So many folks have enjoyed this!
Posted by: Diana Trout | 10/03/2015 at 11:37 PM
Karen's work always inspires me. Thanks so much for sharing her work!
Posted by: cheryl | 10/05/2015 at 09:47 AM
I love these images!
Posted by: Mary H | 10/08/2015 at 02:11 PM
They are so thoughtful, Mary. And intentional. At least that’s what I get. Thanks for your comment.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 10/08/2015 at 03:08 PM