Kathy J. Karlson, M.A., Ph.D., Artist in Residence at Greenbelt Community Center in Maryland

Paintings in more than 50 private collections. Exhibited in juried shows, at Johns Hopkins, Montpelier, Wilson Gallery, Torpedo Factory, and many others.

Karlson’s paintings reflect layered sources of inspiration, from her interest in abstract expressionism and her upbringing near the prairie, to her years in the Peace Corps in West Africa.

Locally, Kathy donates work to So Others Might Eat for their many offices and residences for the homeless. 

As a colorist, I begin a painting without intent, except to choose gold, blue, Hooker’s green (or whatever invites me at the moment.)  I am influenced by Wordsworth, Dickinson, Joan Mitchell, deKooning, Rembrandt…friends, children, grandchildren, the leaf, the sunlight on our lips, the crimson light, mother and father, sisters, cliffs, birds…

In 1998, Kathy Karlson was awarded an NEA grant for fiction writing, which allowed her to devote more time to both writing and painting. Her stories have been published in The Barcelona Review, Carve, Chiron Review, Madison Review, Worldview, Calyx, Stories With Grace, The MacGuffin, SNReview, 13th Warrior, and several other journals.

Click here for Kathy’s Selected Writings