SHORT BIO
Karen Jacobsen lives and works in the world famous ski resort community of Sun Valley, Idaho. Her work concentrates on the landscape- one without people or structures for the most part. As human beings are the biggest mechanisms of change to our world, she prefers to leave them out.
She is known as a plein air painter, an occasional muralist, and a natural science illustrator. Karen now works primarily in oils, occasionally in watercolor and, more recently in mixed media.
Jacobsen earned her degrees at University of California Santa Cruz, a BFA in painting and printmaking, and a Masters Certificate in Science Communications; with an emphasis in illustration. She has been an active member of the Plein Air painters of Idaho since 2007.
Her work can be seen in the Sun Valley area at the Knob Hill Inn, and currently local pop-up gallery Anderson Architects. For art shows and plein air events please check the schedule on the EVENTS page.
She is known as a plein air painter, an occasional muralist, and a natural science illustrator. Karen now works primarily in oils, occasionally in watercolor and, more recently in mixed media.
Jacobsen earned her degrees at University of California Santa Cruz, a BFA in painting and printmaking, and a Masters Certificate in Science Communications; with an emphasis in illustration. She has been an active member of the Plein Air painters of Idaho since 2007.
Her work can be seen in the Sun Valley area at the Knob Hill Inn, and currently local pop-up gallery Anderson Architects. For art shows and plein air events please check the schedule on the EVENTS page.
Artist Statement
Spending time in the field behind the brush feeds my creative soul. I take this time outside to paint, to gather visual information and ideas. I always come home with something new, something I’ve learned, and possibly a finished piece of artwork. Using nature as my inspiration gives me limitless directions to take my work, and honors the source of my creativity.
My journey as a plein air/ landscape painter started as a scientific illustrator. I wanted to be outside, observing my subjects in their natural environments, and seeing the truth in my own observations. My mother, also a painter and sculptor, always encouraged me to draw from life, coming up with my own ideas and organizing them into something I can call my own. This independent spirit still motivates me in the work I create and share.
Painting has become my way of connecting to the environment. I now invite you along, to relive some of the sensations we all experience when outside. When people make comments of “that looks cold” or “I can hear the wind in those trees” (or referring to their other senses) I have succeeded.
Please take a minute and tell me what senses you perceive as you view my work.
My journey as a plein air/ landscape painter started as a scientific illustrator. I wanted to be outside, observing my subjects in their natural environments, and seeing the truth in my own observations. My mother, also a painter and sculptor, always encouraged me to draw from life, coming up with my own ideas and organizing them into something I can call my own. This independent spirit still motivates me in the work I create and share.
Painting has become my way of connecting to the environment. I now invite you along, to relive some of the sensations we all experience when outside. When people make comments of “that looks cold” or “I can hear the wind in those trees” (or referring to their other senses) I have succeeded.
Please take a minute and tell me what senses you perceive as you view my work.
EXHIBITS AND AWARDS
Point Gallery, Meridian, ID. May 2009
Gaia Gallery, Eagle, ID. Nov, 2009 - 2011
Plein Air Painters of Idaho Annual Redfish Event Aug 2008 thru 2016
-2015 Honorable Mention
-2016 People’s Choice Award
Ketchum Arts Festival 2011, 2012
Idaho State Historical Museum, February 2012
Herrett Center for Arts and Science, May 2012
Driggs Plein Air Painting Festival July 2012, 2013, 2014
2012 1st Place award, Judge: Scott Christensen
2013 Honorable Mention, Judge: Scott Christensen
2017 Honorable Mention Judge : Aaron Schuerr
2018 2nd Place award, Judges : Ned Mueller, Bill Swaczuck
Lee Gallery "Realism Without Borders" December 2012
Yellowstone Art Museum, January 2012, 2013, 2014
The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, Aug 2013 "Art Idaho"
Solo exhibition: Sotheby’s Office Ketchum ID Winter 2013
Water Works Art Museum Invitational Exhibit and Auction, August 2014
Visual Art Exchange Raleigh, NC October 2014 3rd Place Award
National Science Foundation Visualization Challenge 2014, Top 10 Illustration Finalist
Lipton Fine Arts,"Everything is True" Ketchum ID Winter 2015
Art and Soul Twin Falls ID. Watercolor Award 2015
Art and Soul Twin Falls ID. Honorable Mention 2016
Waterworks Art Museum, Confluence Show, Source Tek Award 2016
Water Works 38th Annual Juried Exhibit “The Confluence” Honorable Mention 2017
Zion Bank, Boise ID. May 2017, 2018, 2019
Helper Plein Air 2019 Honorable Mention Judge: Michael Workman
Gaia Gallery, Eagle, ID. Nov, 2009 - 2011
Plein Air Painters of Idaho Annual Redfish Event Aug 2008 thru 2016
-2015 Honorable Mention
-2016 People’s Choice Award
Ketchum Arts Festival 2011, 2012
Idaho State Historical Museum, February 2012
Herrett Center for Arts and Science, May 2012
Driggs Plein Air Painting Festival July 2012, 2013, 2014
2012 1st Place award, Judge: Scott Christensen
2013 Honorable Mention, Judge: Scott Christensen
2017 Honorable Mention Judge : Aaron Schuerr
2018 2nd Place award, Judges : Ned Mueller, Bill Swaczuck
Lee Gallery "Realism Without Borders" December 2012
Yellowstone Art Museum, January 2012, 2013, 2014
The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, Aug 2013 "Art Idaho"
Solo exhibition: Sotheby’s Office Ketchum ID Winter 2013
Water Works Art Museum Invitational Exhibit and Auction, August 2014
Visual Art Exchange Raleigh, NC October 2014 3rd Place Award
National Science Foundation Visualization Challenge 2014, Top 10 Illustration Finalist
Lipton Fine Arts,"Everything is True" Ketchum ID Winter 2015
Art and Soul Twin Falls ID. Watercolor Award 2015
Art and Soul Twin Falls ID. Honorable Mention 2016
Waterworks Art Museum, Confluence Show, Source Tek Award 2016
Water Works 38th Annual Juried Exhibit “The Confluence” Honorable Mention 2017
Zion Bank, Boise ID. May 2017, 2018, 2019
Helper Plein Air 2019 Honorable Mention Judge: Michael Workman
