Karen Cooper

A native Nebraskan, now living in Iowa after a 5 year sojourn in Lipetsk, Russia, I attribute my vision and outlook to those blocks of time. While living in Lipetsk, I was blessed to have a great mentor who told me to “Get out and paint on the street. Learn the light.” Spoken in a different language of course, but the message is the same. Learn the light. I paint in oil, both studio work and en plein air. I love the challenge (and camaraderie!) of painting at plein air festivals. 2022 events included En Plein Air Texas, Bluff Strokes (first place main event!) and Augusta Plein Air. 2022 also included my solo exhibit Paint Grinnell, a plein air look at my home town (35 paintings)

Karen is based out of Poweshiek County.