Karen Kramer

Every day I am inspired by observing the natural world, whether it is the intricacy of a leafy branch, the texture of a granite rock , or the subtle shades of a mountain sky. I see endless contradictions within the same landscape: light/dark; arid/wet; sharp/soft; living/dying. I feel compelled to examine this harmonious paradox in my work as I seek to capture the mystery, variation and whimsicality I find in every natural scene.

Born in New York City, I was raised in Berkeley, and work out of my studio in Oakland, CA at Studios 11. I studied art at the University of California, Berkeley, and Peralta community colleges. I devoted 20 plus years to a public interest law career but returned in 2010 to my original passions of painting and drawing. My work is exhibited locally and nationally, including the following: Stanford Medical Center, Stanford, CA (permanent collection), Alameda County Arts Commission, Cherryland Community Center (permanent collection), Alameda County Arts Commission public art utility box project, Castro Valley, Ca, 2019-ongoing, California Watercolor Association 53rd, 52nd, and 44th National Exhibitions 2014, 2022, 2023
Yosemite Renaissance 36 (a first prize) Yosemite Valley Gallery 2021, 44th Int’l Water Media Exhibit, Houston Water Color Association 2021, Firehouse Arts Center, Center Hallway Gallery (solo exhibit), Pleasanton, Ca 2019, Moraga Art Gallery, Moraga, CA, Featured Guest Artist, 2018, 2014
Coos Art Museum, Expressions West 2017 (juried), Coos Bay, Oregon 2017, Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts 31st Int’l Exhibition, Tallahassee, FL 2016, San Francisco Women Artist Gallery, Bay Area Invitational Exhibition (Juror’s pick) 2016, Valley Art Gallery, Walnut Creek, 2018-present.