Karen McCool (American / Pennsylvania, 21st century) oil on cradled panel portrait of a woman titled Take a Deep Breath, Grab a Fancy Drink And Remember No One Looks Good In Prison Stripes. Artwork measures 24" x 24, has finished sides and is ready to hang.
Karen McCool, was born in 1853 in the Netherlands, the son of a preacher, most known for cutting off one ear during a mental breakdown ... errr ... wait. That's van Gogh. Sorry. Karen McCool was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1967, and raised in West Chester, PA where she lives today. McCool’s work is exhibited in the greater Philadelphia area. In 2022, she had solo exhibitions at The Chester County Art Association, West Chester, PA and will have her third solo show at Beacon Art Gallery, Stone Harbor, NJ in 2024. McCool was in the 2023 Historic Yellow Springs Juried Art Show, was featured in Create! Magazine "Annual Women's Issue 2024" and has work in collections across the US.
McCool is a self-taught artist who began her formal practice in 2019. She’s interested in exploring the concepts of memory and human connection. She was so moved by her mother’s reaction to old photos (her mother had dementia), she began using them as reference. McCool seeks to illustrate connection through nostalgic vignettes of daily life. Characterized by humor, the light-hearted renderings are created in an alla prima style with bold color. She still has both ears.
