ABOUT Karen Conger, Artist
As an educator and advocate for lifelong learning, I am passionate about fostering social change through art and education. My artistic journey spans a lifetime, beginning with childhood sketches and cartoons for classmates, evolving into a dedicated practice with soft pastels, pen and ink, and colored pencils on archival-quality surfaces like PastelMat. I also embrace modern technology, creating digital works with Wacom display panels and digital pens. My art focuses on capturing the essence of animals (wildlife, domestic pets, and equine subjects), landscapes, and architectural scenes such as courtyards and homes.
Artistic Background
Art has been a constant in my life, from early doodles to a formal Certificate in Illustration in my very young adult life from the well known 'Draw Me' Art Instruction Schools in Minneapolis. This correspondence course provided a strong foundation in shapes, values, and colors, honing my drawing skills. Alongside my artistic pursuits, I hold a BSBA in Finance/Math, an MA in Education (Curriculum and Instruction), and a PhD in Education. These academic achievements inform my creative and teaching practices, blending discipline with imagination. Art gives me the energy I need to do the work I do and I am ready to do more art!
Professional Development and Community
I seek continuous growth through new memberships to build relationships and skills with other professional artists. I am currently a member of New Masters Academy and the Picard Studio alumni group Cultivate, designed for continuing education. I am also a current member of the Pastel Society of Southern California and Pastel Society of the West Coast; Alumni Associations at CSU Bakersfield, University of Tennessee Knoxville, and Walden University (including Connect Mentoring Group) and local community art organizations.
My Artistic Process
My art explorations through the years have given me practice with multiple techniques in drawing, painting and sculpting. This includes technology as well as traditional materials including soft pastels, acrylics, oils, inks, graphite pencils, and sculpting clay. I have ultimately gravitated toward soft pastels, pen and ink, and colored pencils in my traditional art; I use Wacom display panels and photoshop software with my digital pen and my digital art. They each have their place and I am learning that!
My artwork celebrates the beauty of the animals and our natural world, serene and glowing landscapes, and architectural elegance, which I attempt to render with precision and vibrancy. By integrating traditional techniques with cutting-edge tools, my goal is to create pieces that resonate with both heart and craft.
Please explore my portfolios to see my latest works, and feel free to connect with me about art, education, or collaboration opportunities.
