Participating Artists

Karen Dreyer

Biography / Artist Statement

Art has always been a passion of mine. I have always felt happiest when I am creating something beautiful. Throughout my life that creativity has taken many forms until I settled into painting.

I grew up in Lubbock. After starting my college education at Texas Tech University, I then moved to Kansas City in 1985 to attend nursing school at KU. After graduating, I was a critical care and emergency department nurse for 13 years before retiring to stay home with our two children.

My mother, Toni Arnett, is the reason I first became interested in painting. She is also an artist. Growing up, we always had the aroma of turpentine in our home. To this day, I find that smell familiar and comforting. After school I can remember going to check on my mother to see what she had been painting that day. She always asked for a critique and when she actually took my suggestions it made me feel very important.

I have always enjoyed the beauty that surrounds us. Being able to apply that to a canvas brings me so much joy! For me light is everything. What inspires me are bright, vivid colors and how the light changes and enhances them. I paint with oils and I would describe my work as realistic with a contemporary flare. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I love everyday!