Artist Karen J. Andrews

Karen J. Andrews

I experiment with different ways of blending photography, painting and drawing. I love to play, and sometimes I feel like there are about ten different artists living inside of me. That might be a result of having been an Art History major, which exposed me to a huge range of fabulous art from all over the world and throughout human history.

Prior to that, my most memorable contact with a real artist was while writing a paper on Vincent Van Gogh in high school. His wonderful letters opened up a world of color, detail and form that I longed to know. He will always be my first love (in art.)

Although I did often draw and construct things as a child, in senior year in high school I discovered oil painting and spent endless hours after school in the studio.  I loved the feel of applying paint to canvas.

At Oberlin College I took several studio art courses, but mostly did printmaking. I didn't get my first camera until graduation, and then another world opened up, that of  photojournalism and documentary street photography. This image was taken with a toy Diana camera which captures the dreamlike, old world quality of East Boston, where I worked and photographed often.

In the late 1980’s I moved back to New Haven, CT  to help renovate my dad's factory building into artist's studios, as part of a city-wide arts renaissance. We filled the building with photographers, dancers, painters, sculptors and graphic designers. In my studio I experimented with fabric painting and surface design, and had a small crafts business called Dressed to a T making and selling wearable art. 

In the 90's I began a daily practice of walking in the woods, and sometimes took my camera to record the amazing changes that would occur each day in nature. The photographs culminated in a body of work called "The Enchanted Forest Series", which was an attempt to help people rediscover the healing powers of nature that were right in front of their eyes. The exhibit traveled to dozens of hospitals and healing centers and was purchased by a hospital for their chapel area.

My need for a more pristine environment eventually guided me to the Berkshires where I settled into a more rural lifestyle, and shifted more into painting in watercolor, although I will always take photographs.

In 2001 I met and married a gifted woodworker, Michael Costerisan, who made breathtakingly beautiful furniture and later, folk harps. Together we fixed up our small horse barn into a gallery, INNER VISION STUDIO. I painted it periwinkle, coral, yellow and blue, and exhibit my art in the summer and fall.  

I am now exploring a new chapter in my art life, which includes more abstract art, textile design and creating products such as scarves, yoga pants, shower curtains and placemats. 

 

What Folks Are Saying About Inner Vision Studio

“Wanted to share a photo of my morning altar and tell you how much pleasure i get from the two sets of placemats i have with your art; they’ve been great companions on my deck and my dining table”

 

“Your work is stunningly lovely, and the best table mats I have ever seen. These paintings and photo images …bring beauty and pleasure to our table every time our family comes together to share.”


"You are inspiring my watercoloring — this is lovely!"


"This is beautifully done. To my mind, exactly what watercolor can be!"


"Fabulous! Fresh and lyrical."

 

Past Events

DeCordova Museum Corporate Lending Program, Lincoln, MA
Hartford Hospital Chapel, Hartford, CT
American Institute in Taiwan, Art in Embassies Show: "New England in Contemporary American Art"
Mercury Corporation, Boston, MA
Pearl Street Gallery, Hartford, CT
Young and Constantin Gallery, Wilmington, VT
S.A.S. Gallery, Housatonic, MA 
Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery, Shelburne, VT 
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Lenox, MA 
Canyon Ranch, Lenox, MA
Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Provincetown, MA
Macy Gallery, Valhalla, NY 
Leibowitz Gallery, Simon's Rock College of Bard, Great Barrington, MA