Karen Lehrer

I’m inspired by the repeating patterns and shapes I notice all around

me – in design, architecture, and nature. Currently I am influenced by

the textures which result from erosion on man made and natural

surfaces such as rust, wood, weathered stones, and moss or algae

patterns which only nature can create. I find myself using this

symbolic language of patterns and shapes to more accurately depict

and describe the world around me, both physical and imagined.

My use of color is directly influenced by the amazing and unlimited

spectrum of hues found in nature. For example, I’m inspired by the

stark contrast of acid green lichen peeking through snow-covered

rocks, as well as vivid purple I saw on fat starfish in a shallow bay, or

the subtle color combinations in a pile of bleached seashells.

My current paintings are begun with no preconceived concept in mind.

I might have a feeling I’m trying to evoke or an atmosphere I’d like to

translate into visual imagery. This is a whole new way of working that

I find very freeing and exciting.

Education

2013 One year Painting mentorship with Bay area artist Nicholas Wilton

1996 MA Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, CA

1993 BA Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA

1988-1991 Private study of painting with Martin Lubner, Venice, CA

1975-1976 Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los

Angeles, CA

1971 AA Los Angeles, City College, Los Angeles, CA

1966-1967 Art Center College of Design, Los Angeles, CA

Solo Shows

2013 Zocolo Gallery, Sausalito, CA 2010 Milk and Honey, Santa

Barbara, CA 2010 Carr Winery, Santa Barbara, CA 2010 Canary

Hotel, Santa Barbara, CA 1997 Thought Forms Floating in Space,

Edge Gallery, Malibu, CA

Group Shows

2013 One Night Stand, AFS Brooks Institute Gallery, Santa Barbara,

CA 2013 New Oceanscapes, AFS Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA 2012

One Night Stand, AFS Brooks Institute Gallery, Santa Barbara,

CA 2011 One Night Stand, AFS Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA 2008

Caruso Woods/Frameworks Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA 2006

Southern California Artists, Mad River Summer Show, Santa Monica,

CA 2005 National Congress of Art and Design, Salt Lake City,

Utah 2003 Images and Origins, Reflections of Women Artists,

Los Angeles, CA

Workshop and Educational Facilitator

2012-2013 Clinical Applications of the Imaginal, Pacifica Graduate

Institute, Santa Barbara, CA 2014 Certified Facilitator Soul

Collage 1992–2014 Intuitive Drawing—workshop exploring inner

process through non objective drawing. 2004-2010 Mapping The

Inner Journey; to assist participants in personal discovery through the

use of creative media. 2003 Santa Barbara City College Adult

Education; The Conscious Journey 1999-2002 Collage Workshop,

Malibu, CA—ongoing monthly group for discovery and inner process

through the medium of collage

Professional

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, State of California, MFC35957

Selected private collections

Russ Berens, Malibu, CA Stacie Bouffard, Santa Barbara, CA Erika

Carter, Santa Barbara, CA Dru Hartley, Santa Barbara, CA Miguel

Jorge and Lesley Schaffer, Washington, DC Shirley and Seymour

Lehrer, Santa Barbara, CA Anne Luther, Santa Barbara, CA Karen

Phillips, Westlake Village, CA Kamila and Brett Orlando, London,

UK Ellen and Tom Orlando, Santa Barbara, CA Dr. Steve Sherwin,

Santa Barbara, CA Melanie Shatner, Los Angeles, CA Susie

Thomason, Santa Barbara, CA Mark and Lori Zamel, Pacific

Palisades, CA