Interview
Karen V Kanas
Karen was raised in Chicago, Illinois, and involved in the arts from a very young age. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the Performing Arts Center, Barat College of DePaul University.
Karen was fortunate enough to work with such theatre companies as Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Theatre and Phoenix Theatre to name a few. She studied painting and art history throughout her years in school, in addition to studying architecture and interior design when she moved to Los Angeles, California at UCLA.
Karen has been an artist for over ten years. Her background in theatre has influenced her immensely as an artist. Many pieces of her artwork have been on exhibit in Los Angeles, New York City and San Jose. Karen was featured in DESTIG Magazine as one their top emerging artists for 2019 and in the Los Angeles Art Association 2019 Volume 2 Catalog. She is a Founder Member of ArtChilli Gallery UK, and a member of the Los Angeles Art Association.
Karen's artwork was featured in the September, October, and November 2021 issue of House & Garden Magazine UK, she was the recipient of the 2020 Artist of the Future Award by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine and the 2021 recipient of the Award of Artistic Excellence for her Painting, Dancer in Motion, by Circle Foundation for the Arts. She also wrote and produced her video performance art piece, The Unseen Artist, which is a self-exploration of herself as an artist, and she directed the online series, Shakespeare's Pawn. Karen resides in Los Angeles with her husband actor Ammar Daraiseh.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“The arts were a huge part of my life while growing up in Chicago. From the time I was a child - from music to art to theatre to opera - my mom and aunty made sure I was exposed to everything art. I was enrolled in art classes, painting and drawing, as well as piano lessons from a very young age, which I studied throughout high school and college. I think all that exposure alone played an important role in defining my relationship with art, how I approach being a spectator of other artists' work, as well as myself as an artist.
Theatre played another huge role in molding who I am as an artist. What I loved most about the time I spent in theatre, is that it allowed me the opportunity to explore different areas, from costume design, scenic painting, wig design and even stage management - I did it all. Theatre was part of my journey, as I was a “jack of all trades” if you will, but I could never settle and do just one thing. I think I was still trying to figure out who I was as a creative, and what my true talent and calling was.
All paths throughout my life led me to being an artist. I have been a painter for over ten years now. My journey in the artworld itself began in 2017 when I started to receive recognition and awards for my artwork from various exhibitions I participated in. I think that's when I truly felt I was an artist.”
What inspires you most?
“I am inspired by nature mostly - when I walk out the door I just want to be present in that moment and take it all in. With my background in the arts, I'm inspired by theatre, music, art, dance and fellow artists - it's all so invigorating and excites me to see others' work and creativity in progress. There's nothing like it!”
“I feel each piece that I paint tells a story and is an extension of myself. Many of my pieces highlight moments or memories from my own life that are relatable to the viewer – allowing them to have their own experience when viewing my artwork, maybe evoking a memory from a time in their life that they are reminded of.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I love a good landscape and enjoy painting them. I feel it's when I am most traditional as an artist. I have been doing more portrait and figure paintings over this past year, which I am really enjoying as well.
I have a very vivid memory. I can remember almost everything from the time I was a child. I paint from memory a lot – it is always my interpretation of that moment. The purpose of my work is to tell a story – a huge part of that story is my own personal journey as an artist. I feel each piece that I paint tells a story and is an extension of myself.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as representational at times, but always my own interpretation, or twist if you will, of a moment that's based on something I see, or from a memory. I express an abundance of emotion, intent and purpose in my work - it's the most honest I can ever be. It is like facing my own creativity and process in a mirror. Whether it's a landscape, abstract piece, portrait or figure, I pour myself into everything I do. All my pieces have a vibrant use of color, depth and light visually, especially in my landscapes. Many pieces of my work also have a play on perspective. I do this intentionally to draw a view in or if I want the piece to take on a particular look from different angles.”
“When I first approach the notion for a piece I am about to paint, I always try to remain thoughtful and true. Questions I ask myself are: Is this something I want to paint? Do I believe in this piece? It is an integral part of my process.”
What artists influence you most?
“Cindy Sherman – I’m a fan of her work and how she is able to transform herself. Emma Amos – I love the vibrant use of color in her artwork and how she explored gender and race in her pieces. Agnes Martin, Joan Mitchell and Lee Krasner – are amazing and deserve more credit than what they ever received during their time. I’m curious as to what their experience was in their day, since so much of the artworld was and still is heavily male focused and male dominated.”
What is your creative process like?
"Most of my artwork is created based on my memories or from a moment in time that I recall and I want to express on canvas. I am extremely visual and remember the details vividly from my life. I draw upon that when I am creating my work. Although some pieces are created purely organically from ideas that I think would make for an interesting painting.
Once I decide on what I am painting, I start thinking about my color palette. I love using vibrant colors, and a lot of the time, I can envision how the painting will look before I ever start on it. I always have one color that dominates and takes precedence throughout the piece. I do this intentionally to draw the eye of the viewer. I work mainly with acrylics, and often I like to water the colors down to create a glossier effect. If I am looking to add texture or layers to a piece, I will scrape gesso onto the canvas before I start painting, so that it has time to set.
My process involves engaging both traditional and innovative techniques, while incorporating elements of impressionism with abstraction. When I paint, I do not work off images or sketches, nor do I sketch anything onto the canvas. I may see an image that inspires me, but that is it. I will reference art books as I think it is good to go back and study techniques. Some pieces take me months to complete, some only a few weeks, depending on the subject matter. I think the most challenging part is knowing when to stop, to know when a painting is finished. It took me years to learn this. Painting brings me great joy. I always learn something about myself from each piece that I paint. I never rush the process for the sake of creating art. Each piece takes time and deserves the utmost attention.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I feel the purpose of art in society is to educate, convey a message or story, make people think, and open each other’s eyes to the world around us through different mediums. There are many ways of doing this and each artist has a different story they want to tell. I think that is what makes art so dynamic. The wide range of work, points of view, and ways about which art is communicated and displayed. There are artists I follow on Instagram that are so talented and whom I admire. I not only learn about each of them as artists, but I learn about where they come from, what message they are conveying whether it is political, religious, personal, etc. Every artist’s story is different and unique.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My exhibits for 2022 are still being planned and in the works. I've had many noteworthy exhibits over the years. It's hard to pick just one - these are the most memorable one's: 2021 The Huntington Beach Art Center, Scapes and Scope - Visions of the Land, Sea and Urban Space, 2021 Los Angeles Art Association, Gallery 825, UPCYLE Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA, 2021 Las Laguna Art Gallery, Women in Art Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA, 2019 Los Angeles Art Association, Gallery 825, VS. Collaborative Group Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA, 2019 Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825, Multiple Feeds Video Art Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA, and 2018 Agora Gallery, Collective Art Exhibition: I Remember You, I know This Place Chelsea New York, NY. The exhibit at Agora Gallery was my first big art exhibit and opened many doors for me, which I am grateful for.”
