“My job as an artist is to capture with some degree of
emotion and technical skill a preservation of a slice of life stilled forever
in a painting. “ by Karen Cahill
I grew up painting. I started painting very young and was
one of those kids who always knew what they wanted to be.
Since the 1990’s my work has grown and evolved from super
realistic portraiture to landscapes and still life painting. I consider myself
to this day to be a realistic painter but have added more emotion, more of
myself into my work.
In 1994 I started including landscape painting to my
repertoire. I entered shows, did commissions and won awards throughout Northern California.
By the year 2000, I started painting still life as an
extension of portraiture. To me, these objects are strategically placed and
have meaning all to themselves. We as humans leave our mark on objects in the
form of memories. For instance, a musician who has spent a lifetime playing the
violin may evoke a fondness for my painting entitled “The One.”
The title of my painting is inscribed on the curled sheet
music pictured with the violin.
Like a haunting refrain, my paintings recall a human spirit
within us all. Who cannot remember biting into a juicy watermelon, or hearing the
cry of a violin or the first glass of champagne, my painting capture moments
like those, for all time.
Low lighting and rich color are common characteristics of my
work; they symbolize sunset and the preciousness of life. Fruit is another
symbol you will see often in my still life paintings it represents youth and
sensuality. I also use reflective objects often revealing my own self portrait,
as is evident in the painting entitled, “Gold Teapot.”
In some of my paintings you will find hidden messages or
initials put there purposefully as a testimony to my husband who has been a
huge support for me all of these years.
For instance, in the painting “Sycamore Tree”, if you look
carefully, I have carved a heart with our initials on the tree.
