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I spent this past year in Provence, rediscovering my roots. Having visited Provence since I was a child, I have very fond memories at my grandparent’s home of playing in the fields and jumping into my great-grandfather’s fountain filled will very cold spring water. In my early 20’s, I went to the Leo Marchutz School of Painting in Aix-en-Provence. During that time, I fell in love with painting and grew to find this region as a spiritual haven. This past visit was the longest at over 10 months. It’s a place where I feel grounded and I’ve recently decided to make Provence my primary studio space.
J'ai passé l'année dernière en Provence, à redécouvrir mes racines. Venu en Provence depuis mon enfance, je garde de très bons souvenirs de la maison de mes grands-parents : jeux dans les champs, plongeons dans la fontaine de mon arrière-grand-père, remplie d'eau de source très fraîche. Au début de la vingtaine, j'ai fréquenté l'école de peinture Léo Marchutz à Aix-en-Provence. C'est à cette époque que je me suis passionné pour la peinture et que j'ai découvert cette région comme un havre de paix spirituel. Ce dernier séjour a été le plus long, plus de dix mois. C'est un endroit où je me sens bien ancrée et j'ai récemment décidé de faire de la Provence mon principal atelier.
I have so many great things to share with you!
After more than 10 months in France and Europe this past year, I developed a new body of work that will be exhibited this May at Calloway Fine Art & Consulting in Washington DC. I’m very excited to share with you these works and the development in which an email with the catalog will go out in 2 weeks. Right after the show opens, I will return to my studio in Provence to work for upcoming events and exhibitions over the next 8 or 9 months: a solo exhibition in Sisteron France in July/August; the spotlight alumni artist at the Leo Marchutz School in Aix-en-Provence; exhibiting some of my work in Monaco this September; and my work will be at the Estampa Art Fair in Madrid this October with the Uxval Gochez Gallery from Barcelona.
Après plus de 10 mois passés en France et en Europe l'année dernière, j'ai développé un nouveau corpus d'œuvres qui sera exposé en mai prochain chez Calloway Fine Art & Consulting à Washington DC. Je suis ravi de partager avec vous ces œuvres et leur développement. Un e-mail avec le catalogue sera envoyé dans deux semaines. Juste après l'ouverture de l'exposition, je retournerai dans mon atelier en Provence pour travailler sur les événements et expositions à venir au cours des 8 ou 9 prochains mois : une exposition personnelle à Sisteron, en France, en juillet/août ; une exposition d'anciens élèves à l'École Leo Marchutz d'Aix-en-Provence ; une exposition à Monaco en septembre ; et une participation à la foire Estampa Art Fair de Madrid en octobre avec la galerie Uxval Gochez de Barcelone.
Over this past year, I have driven through mountains and pastures throughout Italy and France. It has allowed me to contemplate how I weave through life while I continuously grow as an artist. I know how fortunate I am, and it is because of all of you! I appreciate your continued support.
I wish you a very warm holiday season filled with love, peace & joy !
New Representation in Dallas Texas & The closing month of Personal Structures in Venice.
I’m honored to be with Breitbard Williams Fine Art in Dallas Texas. BWFA is a unique blend of art consulting and fine art gallery. Their 5200 square foot design district location showcases a revolving group show of over 50 mid-career to blue-chip contemporary artists.
Many Thanks to the ECC during the closing month of Personal Structures: Beyond Boundaries. They have done an extraordinary job in the organization and curation of this exhibition.
Personal Structures - ON VIEW NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 2024
I am proud to be exhibiting my work “Passage” as a part of the Personal Structures Exhibition, “Beyond Boundaries”. Please stop by if you are in Venice! and tag me in your post.
Karen Silve at the Venice 2024 Art Biennial - Personal Structures
I am thrilled to be a part of this exhibition in Venice! My work will be on the 1st floor of Palazzo Mora with a special opening on Friday November 19th. See more to give you a better understanding of the importance of this exhibition.
Wow! What a whirlwind getting ready for Personal Structures, the 7th Biennial exhibition by the European Cultural Center in Venice. It opens April 20th!
I was relieved that all of my artwork made it safely to France. In France I made sure the canvases stretched properly on their new stretcher bars, then rolled them up and drive them to Venice. It was a fantastic drive over the alps, and then, I arrived at one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
Wishing you and your loved ones a very warm holiday! And to embrace the darkness and the light to come on this winter solstice.
Thank you to the Oregon Arts Commission and The Ford Family Foundation
I am a proud recipient of the Career Opportunity Grant from the Oregon Arts Commission! See the Press-Release here.
I applied for the grant after I was invited to be a part of Personal Structures 2024, a 7-month exhibition in Venice by the European Cultural Center (ECC). Because this is in conjunction with La Biennale di Venezia from April 20th - Nov. 24th, 2024, the most focused art enthusiasts from the world will come to Venice as an art destination.
I'm excited to share with you these two new paintings inspired by my travels in Italy and France. They are on their way to the Madison Gallery in California. I've also included a commissioned artwork I finished at the end of last year for a Miami client. Plus, my solo exhibition at the Calloway Fine Art & Consulting Gallery in Georgetown going on right now!
The artworks in my latest exhibition, The Sea & Shore, Finding Balance, were inspired by the journey I took this past summer from my studio in Provence to Italy, traveling between Venice and the Cinque Terre, where I enjoyed experiencing two shorelines. From the grandeur of Venice to the Cinque Terre’s cliff-side peasant villages, the interplay of these colorful old-world landscapes with the majestic sea created a colorful dance.
After visiting Venice this Spring, I returned to my studio in France and painted these five paintings.
I had never been to Venice, but always wanted to go one day. The day came this year, thanks to the European Cultural Council for contacting me about a possible exhibition opportunity in 2024. I decided to go and check out the ECC and the Biennale that opened in April and continues through November of this year.
I am very honored to have my artwork in this incredible Ferry! Brittany Ferries latest ship, Salamanca, promises a smooth and quiet voyage with lower emissions being their first to use LNG (liquefied natural gas). The Ferry goes from Portsmouth UK to Bilbao Spain. On the interior, the design team wanted to embody the sights, sounds and tastes of the region she will serve giving passengers an experience of their destination from the moment they step on board. From delicious food and comfortable cabins, to fine art. I’m honored they chose my large paintings to be featured in the main atrium which embodies the spirit of the city of Salamanca, and Spain in general. My smaller works are also featured in the Portside Forward Lounge. I am thrilled!
Karen Silve at the Confluence of Courage and Hope - Essay by Richard Speer
Sometimes beauty alights as gently as dewdrops on the morning grass; other times it has to climb and claw its way up a dark crevasse until against all odds it emerges into the light of day. That latter brand of tenacious, hard-won beauty is central to the origin story of Rejuvenation: My Bouquet, Karen Silve’s sumptuous and inspiring new work.
When I thought it couldn’t get worse… it did. Portland suffered from a lot of destruction downtown and nationalized riots. Then the wild fires came and Portland was under smoke for a couple of weeks. I couldn’t see my neighbor’s house and the smoke leaked into my old 1911 house. All of the sudden seeing any friends, indoor or out, was impossible. I closed off my house and stayed in one room with my studio air cleaner. A continuous claustrophobia overwhelmed me. I felt like I couldn’t breath.
June 2020 - COVID has changed us forever and interrupted our lives. Uncertainty is something we live with now. However, some of these changes brings us more strength.
With thee surgeries this year, it has been an extremely challenging year. In reflection, this painting “Savoring Moments” makes me happy and appreciate my experiences, travels and most importantly, the people who have given me great opportunities and surrounded me with hope and great memories! I’m savoring all of those memories now! This painting was inspired by all of the sights and smells while meandering through Old Town Nice, France :)
Wow, what a day! I started with a morning kayaking trip, then the afternoon took my breath away after seeing “Fabienne Verdier - Sur Les Terres de Cézanne” exhibition at the Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence. Her spirit captured me. Sometimes everything in the day just falls into place, one action after another giving a sense of purpose.
Life changes create new ideas and new work. I had a lot of life changes in 2018. These works reflect those changes. I decided to share the process I went through to develop this highly personal body of work. They will be exhibited in Washington DC at Susan Calloway Fine Art in Georgetown. Opening Reception is May 4th.
In France this past summer, I experienced flying in an two person airplane. When my family friend invited me up, I said “yes” without hesitation, but knew I was going to have to face my fears since I’m claustrophobic.
Facing my fears was something I was going through in my own personal life. After a break up with a life partner and living in France in which I struggled communicating, I had a weight in my gut every morning that I didn’t know how to get rid of. These insecurities slowly tore away at me. I felt beholden to my own fears.
Upon reflecting over this past year, I feel very blessed. Thank you all for your continued support! I truly appreciate it!
Sending good wishes for this holiday season and into the new year!
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie
After 4 weeks of french language school then traveling to Paris, some artworks really stood out.
A lot of young artists ask how I've made my way through this art world. I usually tell them that continuing to create regularly and to consistently market your art are the two keys.
Here are some photos of my exhibition, Conversations, at CYNTHIA-REEVES in Walpole. The show goes through May 26th. If you are in Walpole, or close by, I hope you can stop in.
Also, I'm happy to share with you that CYNTHIA-REEVES will take three of my paintings to Art New York this weekend! It's on Pier 94, 711 12th Avenue, NY. She will be at booth ANY301. Click here for some information
My solo show "Conversations" opens next week on April 21st at CYNTHIA-REEVES! Take a look at the catalog. They will be installing next week! I'll send some photos after the installation.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller, Author
Love to all of my family, friends and supporters! Thank you!
Happy Valentines Day!
Karen Silve, Artist Talk - Beijing Trees - at the Susan Calloway Fine Art Gallery in Washington DC, May 2017.
Susan Calloway Fine Arts is proud to present:
KAREN SILVE: BEIJING TREES
Wisdom, Strength, and Renewal
“While drawing in my accordion sketchbooks in Beijing, I realized it was the structured balance I was after; a sense of renewal built on strength and wisdom.” –Karen Silve
Traveling and the unique experiences it brings has become my greatest artistic inspiration. I went to Beijing for the first time in the Spring of 2016. I had never been to China before and wanted to experience it with fresh eyes.
A few days into the trip, I realized I was repeatedly inspired by the thoughtfully pruned trees. The blossoming cherry trees had their own vibrant beauty. However, it wasn’t just the cherry trees, but every tree throughout the city. From the parks, temples, gardens, and along the streets, all of the trees demanded respect. Many of them were just starting to leaf out which allowed me to see the structure of the trees. Such care was taken with each tree, and the older trees were well supported. In the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City, there was a very old tree with a huge steel frame around the trunk holding up the heavy branches. In the Botanical Gardens there was a 3,000 year old tree with it’s large branches supported by other trees which had been grown to hold them up.
I spent this past year in Provence, rediscovering my roots. Having visited Provence since I was a child, I have very fond memories at my grandparent’s home of playing in the fields and jumping into my great-grandfather’s fountain filled will very cold spring water. In my early 20’s, I went to the Leo Marchutz School of Painting in Aix-en-Provence. During that time, I fell in love with painting and grew to find this region as a spiritual haven. This past visit was the longest at over 10 months. It’s a place where I feel grounded and I’ve recently decided to make Provence my primary studio space.
J'ai passé l'année dernière en Provence, à redécouvrir mes racines. Venu en Provence depuis mon enfance, je garde de très bons souvenirs de la maison de mes grands-parents : jeux dans les champs, plongeons dans la fontaine de mon arrière-grand-père, remplie d'eau de source très fraîche. Au début de la vingtaine, j'ai fréquenté l'école de peinture Léo Marchutz à Aix-en-Provence. C'est à cette époque que je me suis passionné pour la peinture et que j'ai découvert cette région comme un havre de paix spirituel. Ce dernier séjour a été le plus long, plus de dix mois. C'est un endroit où je me sens bien ancrée et j'ai récemment décidé de faire de la Provence mon principal atelier.