Master Artist Karen Werner Has a "Poetic Touch"

REDLANDS >> Award-winning artist Karen Werner of Upland spent hours of her childhood sprawled on the floor of her father’s sign-design office. Paper and the Prismacolor pencils kept in a wooden drawer were the essential items that kept her entertained and formed a deep passion for her artistic creativity. Today, her artistic style focuses on still life and plein air paintings. Werner, and four other artists, will be featured during the annual “Evening with the Artists” hosted by the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation on Friday, April 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. “I enjoy variety and challenge when I create,” explains Werner. “My goal is to paint realistically, but in a loose, poetic way.” Art has always been a part of Werner’s life. Her parents owned a sign company in Orange County where she watched her father design and hand letter billboards, showcards and vehicles. Werner, who had the dream of teaching high school art, completed her studio work as an art major with a drawing and painting emphasis at California State University, Fullerton. After beginning to raise children of her own, the idea of teaching young children appealed to her. As a result, she changed the direction of her career goals and earned her Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies, her Master’s in Education, and taught elementary school. During that time, she focused on raising her family and teaching. After 16 years of teaching, she decided to go back to the thing she loved first – the world of creating her own art. Werner retired early from education and dedicated herself back to painting. “After doing some soul searching, I decided to dedicate myself to painting daily,” said Werner. “I am convinced that practice is the key to steady growth as an artist.” Werner works with oil and watercolor and she paints anything that inspires her, ranging from simple to complex subjects. She works from her home studio in Upland, painting from life and occasionally photo references. Her plein air work allows her to travel to various locations in Southern California, Oregon, Utah, Arizona and Colorado. Werner has received special instruction from accomplished artists such as: Milford Zornes, Chris Van Winkle, Ratindra Das, Greg La Rock, Carol Marine, Joseph Todorovitch, Jennifer McChristian, Qiang Huang and Kim English. In addition to painting, Werner teaches watercolor classes and oil workshops in her home studio. Werner also demonstrates in oil for local art associations. Her oils and watercolors are held in private collections throughout the United States and abroad, and have won numerous awards in juried shows. Werner launched her own blog in 2010 to make her work visible to the public and a growing online arts community. She lives with her husband in Upland and has three grown children and seven grandchildren. Werner will join artists Leslee Adams, Michael Bedoya, Jeff Skelly and Trudy Wood at the annual “Evening with the Artists” event. Werner’s artwork will be available for purchase at the Stan and Ellen Weisser Education Pavilion from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22. Proceeds will benefit the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation’s art fund. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the evening’s elegant event. Tickets are $25. The Foundation’s art program began in 1978. Today, the hospital exhibits a collection of more than 800 works of original art and historic photographs in the Redlands Community Hospital Art collection. For more information on the Evening with the Artists event or to RSVP, please call (909) 335-5540 or register online at www.redlandshospital.org/foundation/foundation-special-events/online-registration/default.aspx. To see a sample of Werner’s artwork, please visit www.karenwernerart.blogspot.com.