Karla's studio is in Mukilteo Washington where she lives with the love of her life John, and their amazing kids Hunter and Alex, overlooking the Puget Sound. " I have been abundantly blessed with a very happy family, and wonderful friends and colleagues who inspire and encourage me constantly. I get to do what I love, with the people I adore, in one of the most gorgeous places on earth. What a life!"
About the Artist
Karla has continued to paint in both oils and acrylics over the past thirty plus years. A professional paintings conservator, she worked in her art studio to restore historical treasures while continuing to paint new works. Being challenged with a wide variety of artists styles over the years has helped Karla to develop diversity as an artist. "After twenty five years working with museums and private collections, I am now painting and producing new work full-time" says Karla. "I just love, love, love color! Bright yellow and orange poppies against a cerulean blue sky, can be my inspiration one day, and soft sandy beaches with pastel lavender and pink sunsets are my focus the next".
A native of the Northwest, Karla grew up on her families cattle ranch in Idaho. She began painting in oils at age twelve, and had her first group show at age fourteen. She attended the University of Idaho, where she studied painting, art history, and art conservation. At age twenty one, she moved to the Seattle area and fell in love with the natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle of the area.
The amazing diversity in our Northwest landscapes, mountains, waters and ever changing light, give Karla constant inspiration for new work. Painting a misty flat near Cannon Beach, or capturing the detail of a scruffy pine near deception pass are exciting challenges. "Nature is infinitely varied, changing, and irregular in an ever so perfect way. I am constantly working toward capturing the highlights and details that surround us and make our lives so lovely." Karla has recently begun incorporating heavily textured finishes in her frameless gallery board paintings. " I am most fulfilled when able to represent a little of God's glorious work by transferring some aspect of his design onto one of my canvases."
Karla Rae Studios
