Three guesses as to who this is, and if you say, "A middle aged woman who really let herself go" you are dead to me.
(But also, accurate). |
Three guesses as to who this is ... and if you say, "A middle aged woman who really let herself go" you are dead to me. (But also, accurate). |
Artist Statement
I’m a contemporary realist oil painter who spends an excessive amount of time looking through #foundphotos on Instagram.* With the photographer's consent, I use these vintage photos as inspiration for my work. With a bold palette and thick brushstrokes, the resulting narrative paintings are meant to ignite conversations around shared memories and remind us that we’re all in this together.
This desire to paint from vintage photos began after my mom developed dementia. I saw how much joy she derived from looking through old albums, even when she didn’t recognize the people. This led to my fascination with memory, connection, and nostalgia. Dementia is such a heavy topic, I’m happiest when I’m able to capture transient, often humorous moments, that remind the viewer to share their memories, and pass on their stories. And so much the better if it leads to a laugh.
This desire to paint from vintage photos began after my mom developed dementia. I saw how much joy she derived from looking through old albums, even when she didn’t recognize the people. This led to my fascination with memory, connection, and nostalgia. Dementia is such a heavy topic, I’m happiest when I’m able to capture transient, often humorous moments, that remind the viewer to share their memories, and pass on their stories. And so much the better if it leads to a laugh.
*It's a rather odd hobby, I admit, but it keeps me from taking up cooking, which saves money on smoke detector batteries.
Artist Bio
Karen McCool was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1967. She was raised in West Chester, PA where she still lives and paints today. Since 2019, she has honed her painting practice to playfully illustrate human connection through nostalgic vignettes of daily life. Characterized by humor, the light-hearted renderings are created in an alla prima style with bold color.
McCool’s work is exhibited throughout the greater Philadelphia area. In 2022, she had solo exhibitions at Beacon Art Gallery, Stone Harbor, NJ and at The Chester County Art Association in West Chester, PA. McCool was included in the 2023 Historic Yellow Springs Juried Art Show. Her work is in collections throughout the US.
McCool’s work is exhibited throughout the greater Philadelphia area. In 2022, she had solo exhibitions at Beacon Art Gallery, Stone Harbor, NJ and at The Chester County Art Association in West Chester, PA. McCool was included in the 2023 Historic Yellow Springs Juried Art Show. Her work is in collections throughout the US.
We're all in this together ...
Sonder - n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
~THE DICTIONARY OF OBSCURE SORROWS
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows is a compendium of invented words written by John Koenig. Each original definition aims to fill a hole in the language—to give a name to emotions we all might experience but don’t yet have a word for.
~THE DICTIONARY OF OBSCURE SORROWS
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows is a compendium of invented words written by John Koenig. Each original definition aims to fill a hole in the language—to give a name to emotions we all might experience but don’t yet have a word for.
