Karen L. murtha

         Artist, Art Educator and Illustrator

 

A Rhode Island School of Design graduate and artist member of the Providence Art Club, Providence RI.,  Karen is primarily a figurative painter and illustrator, working mainly with oil paints, but also watercolor and conte’ crayon.  

 

Inspired, when young, by the beautiful paintings in my grandmother’s home, I began to paint, working in the classical tradition to capture the light, the architecture, and the human figure. In my quest to achieve authenticity,  a personal expression was created of that beautiful illusion of the moment.

 

I am especially fascinated by the little vignettes of people in all kinds of situations.    I love the positions, gestures and movement, the true expression of the human form and the way they relate to one another. Within those interactions, relationships and the surroundings, a unique story is conveyed. 

 

                     Visual Arts Experience:

           East Greenwich School Department, East Greenwich, Rhode Island

           Formerly, the Photography, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and  Indesign       instructor.

           Included a term teaching Senior Portfolio and Advanced Placement Portfolio course instructor, consisting of drawing, painting, printmaking, and a variety of  sculpture.

          

           Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island

           Instructor for the Young Adults Visual Arts,  Illustration course.

 

           Newport Art Museum, Newport, Rhode Island   

           Instructor for Adobe Illustrator.

 

            Harris Furs, Warwick, Rhode Island

            Fashion Illustrator for clothing and fur line, used for

            commercial advertisement and weekly publication. 

               

            Paramount Greeting Card Co., Pawtucket, Rhode Island

            Renaissance Greeting Card Co., Maine.

            Illustrator for greeting cards and paper products.

 

                                Decorator and Design Experience:

Sydney and Sage Interior Design, Wickford, Rhode Island

Artist and painter for wall murals, interior space and furniture f or homes and retail

establishments.

Cardi’s Furniture Company, Warwick, Rhode Island:  Variety of murals throughout the store. 

Alpine Ski and Snowboard, Warwick, Rhode Island:  Large wall mural

 

Women and Infants Hospital Storybook Ball,  Hasbro Children’s Hospital Ball, Lifespan Healing Arts fundraiser and Special Olympics. 

Chaired and assisted Decorating and Display Committees in the planning and facilitation of fund raising events for various non profit organizations.

Designed artwork for a variety of personal parties and private functions.  

Functions Included invitations, signage and decorations for the entire venue.