Kathleen Karlsen graduated from The College of William and Mary in Virginia with a bachelor's in studio art in 1987. For the next ten years, she taught art part-time while working at a retreat and conference center. During that time she met and married her husband Andrew, a native Norwegian.
In 1997, Karlsen returned to school and completed a master's degree in art (humanities) from California State University. Since then, she has been working full-time as a professional artist, a creative arts educator and a web design consultant. Karlsen lives in Bozeman, Montana with her husband and five children.
Artist Statement
"Art is a universal language that brings comfort, healing, inspiration and joy to others. The central focus in my work is conveying vibrancy and energy. I seek to create art that is connected to the natural world around us while transcending that world. I believe that the power of art is more than the depiction of objective, physical reality. The real power of art is the feelings embodied in a particular visual image.
I see art and beauty as having a major impact on human life. I believe that art has tremendous practical as well as aesthetic value. Research shows that art can help heal hospital patients, increase learning rates in classrooms and improve productivity in work places. For me, art enhances the entire process of living."
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