Outdoor Art Gallery
@ North Shattuck
Featured Artist Profile
Karen
Mason
Hometown: Berkeley, CALIFORNIA
I express a unique contemporary flair in my botanical paintings through the combination of bold lines, texture, and luminous atmosphere. The influence of my Italian heritage and immersion into Asian culture are evident in my paintings, which balance nature’s splendor and imperfection in a Renaissance Wabi Sabi style.
I began exploring painting at Michigan State University and continued studies at The ArtCenter College of Design and California College of the Arts. It wasn’t until later when I received private instruction from master painters that I pushed the boundaries of what is possible and have become a believer in continuous learning as a practice.
I live in Berkeley and have been exhibiting paintings at the ACCI co-op gallery and other local galleries for over 15 years. Banners on display in Berkeley come from three of my series – Whisper, Whistling Birch and Warm Breezes. To achieve the unique atmospheric effect, each multi-panel painting uses resins to separate individual layers of acrylic, oil, graphite, sumi ink, real leaves from the neighborhood, or tissue paper, providing a three-dimensional effect.
ART ON DISPLAY
Pieces Name: Whispering Woods
2 Pieces: Whispering Woods is part of my Whisper Series and is a three-panel painting created in sumi ink, oil and resin. The piece feels delicate yet holds its own, creating a remembered space that allows one to recall such quiet moments and cherished memories. Honoring the quiet meditation found in the fog layers of the morning-start, one longs to stretch and inhale the surroundings of yet another incredible day. My Whisper painting series draws viewers in – to first experience the drama from across the room, and upon approach are delighted with detail of the fog-laden treescapes.
Location: 37.87711, -122.26896 (near 1674 Shattuck Avenue in the median)
Piece Name: Gingko Playground
Gingko Playground is part of my Warm Breeze series and is inspired by the stark drama of woodblock prints. Here sun-drenched trees set the mood and are inspirational focal points, capturing the simplicity of Japanese paintings. In my Warm Breeze series, scenes come to life with leaves of gingko bouncing across multiple panels. To create this effect, real leaves are collected from around the neighborhood, dried and embedded into the resin of the painting, providing a three-dimensional effect.
Location: 37.87741, -122.269 (near 1625 Shattuck Avenue in the median)
Piece Name: Forest Orchestra
Forest Orchestra is part of my Whistling Birch series, which captures bold botanical scenes with layers of resin, Japanese tissue paper, acrylic paint, real leaves, and oil glazes; sewn together with strong lines to depict bold trees. Placing multiple layers of tinted glazes over textured surfaces creates a wallpaper backdrop of atmospheric depth in which the botanical pieces come to life. In my Whistling Birch series, scenes with leaves bouncing across multiple panels of birch trees appear to sway and move with the wafting winds depicted in a contemporary softness.
Location: 37.8767, -122.2689 (near 1690 Shattuck Avenue in the median)