Karen Scharer
Artist Statement
Karen Scharer’s work reflects decades of art study with a wide range of artists and is influenced by a diverse mix of experiences from travel, a degree in forestry, and a 17-year career in technology. During her 35- year successful painting practice, Scharer’s work has transitioned from realism to abstraction, and from watercolor to acrylic to oil, a medium which has completely captured her focus and passion since 2006.
Scharer’s large, colorful abstract paintings have been featured in dozens of solo and group shows. Her
work has been honored with many awards, accepted into numerous juried exhibitions, and included in
hundreds of public, private, and corporate collections.
Karen Scharer is based in Pueblo West, CO where her home and studio sit beneath dramatic skies just
minutes from the beautiful Arkansas River, and a short drive from some of Colorado’s most spectacular
mountain peaks. The stunning Colorado landscape is a constant source of inspiration for her intuitive
painting approach.
Selected Exhibitions
2017 Dual Exhibition, Scharer & Guthridge – Boulder Jewish Community Center, Boulder, CO
2016 New Work, Solo Show – Shain Gallery, Charlotte, NC
2016 New Work, Solo Show – Art + Soul Gallery, Boulder CO
2016 Finding the Thread, Solo Show – Soren Christensen Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2016 Introductory Exhibition – Solo Show – Desert Art Collection, Palm Desert, CA
2015 Abstract Invitational – Group Show – Shain Gallery, Charlotte, NC
2015 Summer Feature – Group Show – Art + Soul, Boulder, CO
2015 Nature’s Line – Group Show – Space Gallery, Denver, CO
2014 New Light – Solo Show – Soren Christensen Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2014 New Work – Solo Show – Art + Soul Gallery, Boulder, CO
2014 Grand Opening Exhibition – Group Show, Space Gallery, Denver, CO
2013 Solo Show – Art + Soul Gallery, Boulder, CO
2013 Mind Over Matter – Group Show – Space Gallery, Denver, CO
2012 To Expand – Group Show, Madden Museum of Art, Denver, CO
2012 Inside/Outside – Solo Show, Space Gallery, Denver, CO
2012 Abstract Expressions – Group Show – Cultural Arts Council Gallery, Estes Park, CO (also curated)
2011 Honorable Mention, 28th Annual Artist Magazine Competition, Resolve 2011, 2012 Plein Air Rockies – Outdoor Painting Event & Exhibition, Cultural Arts Council Gallery, Estes Park, CO, Second Place, Quick Draw 2011
2011 Risk & Reward – New Colorado Abstracts – Group Show – Studio 12 Gallery, Denver, CO
2010 Representation to Abstraction – Group Show – Cultural Arts Council Gallery, Estes Park, CO
2010 Works of Love – 23rd Annual Women’s History Month Show – Cultural Arts Council Gallery, Estes Park, CO Artist’s Choice Award, Puzzle
2010 Karen Scharer – New Works, Framed Image, Denver, CO
2010 Featured Artist, Denver Polo Club, International Polo Exhibition for the Gabby Cross Foundation, Denver, CO
2009 The Abstract Show – Group Show, CORE Gallery, Denver, CO
2009 New Works – Solo Show, Dayle Dunn Gallery, Half Moon Bay, CA
2009 Karen Scharer – New Works, Framed Image, Denver, CO
2009 Celebrating Women in the Arts – 22nd Annual Women’s History Month Show – Cultural Arts Council Gallery, Estes Park, CO
2008 Finalist, 25th Annual Artist Magazine Competition, Winter & Helianthus
2008 Karen Scharer – Non-Representational Mastery of Color, Framed Image, Denver, CO
2008 Random Works – A Colorful Collection of Art: 21st Annual Women’s History Month Exhibition – Cultural Arts Council Fine Art Gallery, Estes Park, CO
2007 Karen Scharer – New Works, Framed Image, Denver, CO
2006 Changing Light – Paintings by Karen Scharer, Pankratz Gallery, Monument, CO
2006 Karen Scharer – New Works, Framed Image, Denver, CO
2006 Abstract v.2 – Group Show, CORE Gallery, Denver, CO
2006 Group Show – Regional Artists, Phillip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO
2005 Karen Scharer – New Works, Framed Image, Denver, CO
2003 One Woman Show – Gallery 1, NCAR, Boulder, CO
2002 This is Colorado – Group Show, Temple Buell Theatre, Denver, CO
2002 WFS 27, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM
2002 One Woman Show – Lone Tree Library, Denver, CO
2001 WFS 26, Kimball Art Center, Park City, UT
2001 Colorado Art Open, Foothills Art Center, Golden CO
2001 Colorado Watercolor Society State Watermedia Exhibition, Colorado History Museum, Denver, CO (also 1999, 1998, 1997, Second Place award)
1999 Gateway National Juried Art Exhibition, Gateway Museum, Farmington, NM
1999 AWA National Watercolor Exhibition, West Valley Art Museum, Phoenix, AZ
1998 Taos National Exhibition of American Watercolor IV, Van Vechten-Lineberry Taos Art Museum, Taos, NM
