Karen Pettengill

ARTIST STATEMENT

Animals of all kinds show up in many of my paintings. How can they not? Horses,

dogs, cats(we have two now, Izzy and Sophie) chickens, ducks and a dwarf Dutch

rabbit have been part of our menagerie over the years making fascinating subjects to

paint and study. Their existence and companionship have done more for me

spiritually and physically than words can express...so I immortalize them in paintings.

Old or unique buildings fascinate me. They have character and personality that begs

for my attention. Light and shadow play on their surfaces giving them life. Roof

angles and windows reflect spirits within.

Every medium is exciting to me and offers endless experimentation when depicting

a chosen subject. Which medium to use is often the big question and the process is

important to me.

Scratchboard satisfies a desire to carve and produces images in black and white

that resemble wood engravings(without the splinters!) and sgraffito techniques. This

medium requires intense focus and careful mark making.

My favorite medium is pastel because of its immediacy. There’s nothing like

grabbing a creamy stick of pure pigment to paint with. I use a heavy terra cotta toned

paper or board by Art Spectrum called Colourifx which holds many pastel layers and

allows for all kinds of interesting affects and color development.

I love working with casein which is so earthy, the translucency of watercolor is

magical, and the forgiving characteristics of acrylics are just plain fun. The tactile

experience of using a palette knife with oils is like spreading soft frosting. Edges

become important when I do this. I’ve discovered on my own that each medium is

imbued with unique traits that enhance my experience as a painter. Even my brushes

matter..in a sea of brushes I have a few favorites.

Influences are many including, NC Wyeth, Georgia O’ Keeffe, Dahlov Ipcar, Lucy

Kemp Welsh, George Bellows, The Group of Seven Canadian artists and contemporary

artist Alexandra Tyng. I paint and draw abstracts as well and study Chagall, Kandinsky

and Miro. My abstracts are small works in charcoal pencil, ink and express my deepest

emotions.

A major household move 7 years ago introduced me to this stunning region of

western Maine that is our new home. I have a studio that is comfortable and a great

creative space. Small villages, pristine lakes, ponds and mountains are creeping into

my new work...and of course cats.

                                                      Find me on Facebook

www.karenpettengill.com