Karen’s SUMMARY 2011
This has been a year of expanding friendships, old and new; working with a wonderful board and members of the Roxborough Arts Council; the excitement of expanding my art knowledge with new techniques, challenges and new risks in color; and enjoying my wonderful family.
I was fortunate to have three Portrait commissions this year. Each one included sports figures which was a new and exciting challenge for me especially in planning the compositions. I loved painting these portraits in oil, working with my patrons, and creating pieces they value. Portraiture has always been one of my favorites and I appreciate this opportunity.
There are numerous sites in Colorado that beg to be created in paintings! One that is near our home is the historical landmark of the Silicated Brick Company. All that remains of the once thriving community of Silica and its brickyard is the red brick internal core of the Lime Kiln. In 1904 the company began the manufacture of silica bricks made from limestone, sand and water. Bricks were transported on a railroad spur of the Colorado and Southern Railroad to Denver. This Kiln located in Roxborough has been the sight of many of my paintings, both plein air paintings and paintings from photographs that capture the change of lighting and seasons. I am grateful for our local Roxborough Historical Society’s work in preserving this site. It is one of my favorite places to paint.
My trips this year contributed to the content of my art. Hiking in the Smokey Mountains with the grandchildren was delightful. It led to the paintings: “I Found One” and “Hidden Falls”. The trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina was exceptional. Paintings completed from this trip are: “Atlantic Twilight”, “End of Day”, and “Pine Island Tempest”.
As president, I co-authored two Grant applications that were accepted and awarded to the Roxborough Arts Council in October. We are now members of the Front Range seven county Science and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a prestigious designation.
I was chairman for organizing an all-Colorado invitational juried show held in August 2011. It was a great experience for me and our council members with a good response for entries and an excellent response to the award reception. I enjoyed working with Gene Youngmann who did a superb job as the juror for this “Celebrate Colorado Artists” exhibition.
The Council runs a co-op gallery, the Roxborough Art Gallery, 8351 N. Rampart Range Road, #104, Littleton, CO 80125. We have experienced an increase in attendance especially for our monthly Second Friday Receptions which have become “the Place to Be” for meeting the artists and your friends in this community. Sales were slumping during the summer, but October through December far surpassed our previous year. The Council has added new members in the gallery though-out this year and offers an amazing variety of Fine Art and gift items. I’m always impressed with the quality of art produced by this small group of artists. In December we added new track lighting to enhance the art displays. We continue to be grateful to our benefactor, Alan Fishman, for this space in the Marketplace.
September 2011
This is a productive year as President of the Roxborough Arts Council (RAC). I organized a successful all-Colorado exhibition and led the writing of two grant applications. Both applications were accepted and will be awarded to RAC in October 2011. Our coop gallery is successful and membership continues to grow, now at 55 members. We are starting the planning to complete another mural in our community outreach program. The Roxborough Arts Council, a non-profit organization, is becoming more visible and viable. I look forward to another year of serving as President of RAC.
In my personal art, my paintings and cards are available in the Roxborough Art Gallery and two paintings were accepted in the August juried show, "Celebrate Colorado Artists!". I've enjoyed expanding my skills with classes in watercolor and pastel. In April and May I found it exciting to teach a series of four Oil Painting classes. After completing several commissions this year, I have been painting smaller pieces of art. The small paintings are enhancing my ability to consider the total effect of composition, lighting, and color values more quickly, much like a thumb-nail sketch but with more enhanced detail. This is a great starting point for a large painting plus they are also more affordable and great for designing note cards.
First Quarter of 2011
I am enjoying my role as President of the Roxborough Arts Council. It is exciting to work with this great group of talented people. We are currently planning a juried show to be held during the Western Welcome Week in Littleton, Colorado during August of 2011. This show will be open to all Colorado artists. The Roxborough Art Gallery at the Marketplace is a co-op gallery for members of the Roxborough Arts Council. We are pleased that our gallery is growing in recognition and sales. In my personal art, I am currently working on two portrait commissions and one landscape commission using oil as my medium. I am looking forward to warmer weather when I will be outside, "Plein Air" painting once again.
September through December 2010
I continue to exhibit and sale my art in the Roxborough Art Gallery at the Marketplace located in Littleton, Colorado on the Southwest corner of Rampart Range Road and Waterton Road. My art in this gallery includes oil and acrylic paintings, pastels and watercolors, plus "Karen's Kreations" Cards. Our "Second Friday" receptions have gained in popularity as a place to be on Friday night to enjoy friends while viewing new art offerings.
June through August 2010
The Roxborough Arts Council opened a Coop Gallery, #106 in the Roxborough Marketplace on June 1, 2010. The Gallery will include Fine Art and photography, 3-dimensional art, and small gift items including hand painted cards. There will be receptions on the Second Friday of each month and special events throughout the summer. We will have art instruction in the back area of the gallery. The classes will include special sessions for children along with adult classes at beginning to advanced levels. Watch for our schedule to be posted at the gallery.
June 15 through June 30 2010
Karen Kennedy's Art will be shown at the CoArt Gallery, 846 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado. The gallery is in the heart of the Santa Fe Art District. Please join the "Third Friday ART WALK" in downtown Denver on June 18th and stop by the CoArt Gallery. I would enjoy meeting you in person.
May 2010
The "Spring Forward" Reception will be on May 16, 2010 from 2:00 to 5:00 at the Firehouse Gallery, 6220 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado. The juror's awards will be presented during the reception and you can meet the artists while you enjoy the catered fare with friends and new acquaintances.
The Reception for the Second Annual Spring Forward Juried Show is being presented by the Roxborough Arts Council.
April 2010
Second Annual Spring Forward Juried Show at the Firehouse Gallery, 6220 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado. Presenting art works by the portfolio members of the Roxborough Arts Council. The juror was Mary Ellen Russo.
Best of Show "Desert Sunrise" by Judie Seyffert
2-Dimensional Art winners: First Place; Karen Kennedy for "Stellar Spring"
Second Place; Wes Pence for "A Study of Dew Drops"
Third Place; MaryAnn Leake Baisley for "After the Reception"
3-Dimensional Art winners: First Place; Paul Stafford for "Nature's Hands"
Second Place; Mike O'neal for "Guatemalan Sunrise"
The exhibition is open to the public during weekday business hours. Viewing is also available on weekends by an appointment made with any of the artists. Please see www.roxartscouncil.org for more information.
November 2009
Holiday Exhibition at the Firehouse Gallery, 6220 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado. Presenting art works by the portfolio members of the Roxborough Arts Council. The exhibition is open to the public during weekday business hours. Viewing is also available on weekends by appointment. Please see www.roxartscouncil.org for more information.
I am pleased to announce this Kiln painting was sold during the Autumn in the Arts show. Under my "Galleries" section, I have relocated the image of my "Roxborough Kiln" painting from "Available Works", to "Private Collections".
October 24th and 25th, 2009
Roxborough Arts Council presented "Autumn in the Arts" at the Roxborough Marketplace in Littleton, Colorado. My "Roxborough Kiln" painting was awarded a sponsor's selection, by the local Safeway Store. This century old kiln was built in 1904 by the Silicated Brick Company. I used acrylics to paint this historic landmark during a group "Plein Aire" painting day.
September through October 23rd 2009
You can view fourteen of my paintings in The Roxborough Center Realtor's Office located in the Marketplace throughout September and October. This is a new venue promoting art in the Roxborough Community. Reception to be announced. Thank you Roxborough Center Realtors!
July 2009
Karen Kennedy and Erica Hollander shared a "Two Artist Exhibition" during July, 2009 at the Firehouse Gallery. The artists and the Roxborough Arts Council shared sponsorship of the Artists Reception July 19th that included honoring Captain Steve Hildebrandt and the Station #15 firemen for their community service and their support of the Arts in Douglas County.
June 2009
Three of my recent charcoal sketches were included in a “Drawing Exhibition” by Roxborough Arts Council members shown at the Firehouse Gallery.
April 2009
The “Spring Forward” juried show sponsored by Roxborough Arts Council. My painting titled "A New Beginning" was awarded “Best of Show”.
November and December 2008
Holiday Exhibition at the Firehouse Gallery with all portfolio members of the Roxborough Arts Council participating. Reception on December 7th also featured Andy Marquez, photo artist, offering a book signing opportunity to patrons.
June 1st through July 31st, 2008
My paintings were included in a "Two Artist Exhibition" throughout June and July at the Firehouse Gallery. The wine and cheese reception was on June 22nd.
June 14th - September 7th, 2008
My "Snow Deer" painting was accepted in juried exhibition at the Wildlife Experience Museum, Parker, Colorado.
I am currently a board member of the Roxborough Arts Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting art through education and community service. For more information, please visit our website at: www.roxartscouncil.org
