Karen Gillis Taylor
Painting is my response to the wonder of living in the West. Raised in Denver, the changing seasons in the Rockies fed my desire to embrace the richness of color in landscape. There is a deep power in color to tell stories, evoke feelings of mystery, joy or peace, and heighten the sense of drama. People have often told me they want to step into my paintings.
I developed a passion for mixing color when studying for my BFA. Now, 40 years later, I often save my mixed colors when the disposable oil palettes are dry. You might say I collect color: burnt oranges, turquoises, magentas and ochres. I often begin with interpreting sketches or photos of distant mountains, sheltering valleys and beckoning paths.
After my early years as an illustrator, I honed my skills with workshops in Taos and Santa Fe and now paint full time, showing my work in galleries and exhibitions. The West continues to provide real experiences, and using color I tell new stories about what the West is and could be.
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