Painter, author, justice fighter, mother, philosopher Karen Petty
“I am a Leo. Most of my nourishment comes from a defiance of conformity.
I was born in, (who cares).
It was decided I would paint and I started just after birth.
I feel comfortable provoking independent definitions,
and bask in the enlightened.
Reaching inside our souls is my inspiration.
Take me if you will.
I will gather from all of you what makes Us grow.”
EDUCATION
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO and independent study.
EXHIBITIONS
1991 – 2021 LAGUNA BEACH ART FESTIVALS
1989 – GALLERY 57 – INTIMATE SPACES
1989 – LOS ANGELES ART GALLERY
1988 – HUNTINGTON BEACH CULTURAL CTR.
1988 – STUDIO WINSTON, One man show
1983 – 86 FOUNTAIN HILLS GREAT EIGHT
1979 – ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, GALLERY
MUSEUMS
1978 – ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO GALLERY
Selected as an up and coming new Chicago artist
1994-2009 – LAGUNA BEACH ART MUSEUM
“Untitled, Untethered”
AWARDS, LECTURES & HONORS
1975 – CLC UNDERGRADUATE, 1st, drawing
1978 – MCHENRY ART SHOW, Award of Excellence
1979 – ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, Selected Artist
1980 – WEST CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL, Lecture
1980 – ALGONQUIN ART SHOW, 1st Oil
1980 – BARRINGTON FINE ARTS SHOW, 1st Oil
1989 – GALLERY 57 – INTIMATE SPACES
1981 – 25th COUNTRY ART SHOW, 2nd, Oil
1981 – MCHENRY ART SHOW, 1st Oil
1981 – BELVIDERE ART SHOW, 1st Oil, Best of Show
1983 – FOUNTAIN HILL ARTS SHOW, 3rd Oil
1986 – FOUNTAIN HILLS ART SHOW, 1st Oil
1990 – IRVINE FINE ARTS SHOW, 3rd Oil
Karen grew up on a horse farm and was published at age 8 years old. (Appaloosa News Magazine). She was selling her paintings out of the Chicago Art Museum Sales and Rental Gallery when she was 23. She lives in Laguna Beach and has branded herself “Karen Petty …an artist in Laguna.” A place she has called home for more than 3 decades.
These images were created by George Petty, yes, I am related to him! He was the originator of the “Pin Up” girls back in the 40’s & 50’s and thereafter others copied his idea. Is it a coincidence that I paint women from a woman’s point of view, I am sure it is in our DNA as my family did not know about our relationship until Mom & Dad received a family tree from an aunt back in the early 90’s, ironically that is about the time I started painting the female form. This only reassures my intuitive sense of direction. He was a man who broke through the conservative barriers of his time and I take great pride to find out we are related.
