ARTIST’S STATEMENT 
by
Karen Luttrell

My aim is to develop a visual vocabulary to best articulate what I deem valuable and meaningful. My background is a strong academic approach to art making, emphasizing design and traditional media. Yet, I go beyond naturalism, not only to enrich and challenge myself, but attempt to connect with the viewer in the fertile environment of their imagination. For me, painting holds the potential to transcend the material world through the study of natural forms. I receive great pleasure in the reduction and abstraction of commonplace subject matter, through the exploration of light, color, shape and form. I find truth in the most humble of subjects. Furthermore, my paintings embody a history of my efforts, disappointments and successes, by placing definite marks on the canvas which plot the course of the painting experiment. 

 

EDUCATION

2003  M.F.A. in Painting, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 

1998  B.S. in Art Education, magna cum laude, Emphasis: oil painting, 
Harding University, Searcy, AR, State certification in Art k-12

TEACHING

2015 - Present Middle School Art Teacher, Annapolis Area Christian School, Annapolis, MD

2013 - 2014 Sunday School Preschool/Pre-K Teacher, Faith Community Church, Gambrills, MD

2012 - 2013 Instructor of Art Awareness, Tulip Grove Elementary, Bowie, MD

2009 - 2015 Crafts Director for Vacation Bible School, Faith Community Church, Gambrills, MD

2012 Art Director for Create-R-Kids Fine Arts Camp, Faith Community Church, Gambrills, MD

2005  Adjunct Instructor: Anne Arundel Community College, Courses taught: Landscape Painting, Drawing I

2003-2004 Art Teacher: Spratley Middle School, Hampton, VA

2002 Adjunct Instructor of Art: George Washington University, Courses taught: Material Methods and Techniques of Painting, Painting I 

1999-2000 Associate Instructor of Art: Harding University, Searcy, AR  Courses taught: Art History, Art Appreciation, Drawing I, Painting I 

1999  Art Teacher: Searcy High School, Searcy, AR

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

2001-present Self-employed Artist 

2003 Retail salesperson and framemaker at Art Works FramĀe Shop, Norfolk, VA 

2001 Museum Assistant, Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.

1998 Illustrator, Against the Grain, David Burks, et al., Harding University: Searcy, AR

ACHIEVEMENTS & AFFILIATIONS

2001-2002 Morris Louis Fellowship recipient, George Washington University

2001 Filipovitch Prize in Painting

1997-1998 Awarded Outstanding Art Major of the Year, Harding University

1997-1998 Illustration editor for college yearbook and newspaper, Harding University, Searcy, AR

VOLUNTEER SERVICE

2011-present 2nd Vice Regent, Governor Robert Bowie Chapter, NSDAR

2009-2010 President, MOMS Club International of Bowie-North, MD

2004 Volunteer at Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2008 Group Art Show, Cedar Ridge Community Church, Spencerville, MD

2007 Group Art Show, Bowie Public Library, Bowie, MD
         "Artists Exploring the Great Outdoors: Prince George's County,"
          Lowe House Building, Annapolis, MD

2005 Solo Exhibition, Harding University, Searcy, AR

2004 Represented Artists, Harbor Gallery, Norfolk, VA 

2003 "Regional Artists," SiO2 Gallery, Norfolk, VA
         "Works On Paper," D'Art Center, Norfolk, VA 
         Group Show, Art Works Gallery, Norfolk, VA 
         MFA Thesis Show, Dimock Gallery, George Washington University,
         Washington, D.C. 

2001-2002 Fraser Gallery, Bethesda, MD

2001 "Academy 2001," Conner Contemporary Art Gallery, Washington,D.C.
         "Emerging Artists," Maryland Federation of Art Gallery, Annapolis MD 

2000 Group Show, White County Arts Center, Searcy, AR

1998 Senior Show, Harding University, Searcy, AR

Propelled by PopSlice