It is Keizer Art Association's privilege and distinct pleasure to recognize Karen Aiello as our Artist of the month. Karen is an accomplished and recognized artist who enjoys photography and watercolor painting.

Karen developed an interest in art at a very young age. As soon as she could hold a pencil, she created her first drawing - a cowboy on a horse. (Although to the untrained eye it was lines going every direction!) And that’s where it started.

Her adolescent pictures reflected the western influence of her home in a small Colorado town surrounded by mountains, streams, ranches and horses, rodeos and unlimited outdoor adventures. And of her love of animals of all types and sizes.

Her interest in drawing continued to grow but when she was 8-years old the best ever present showed up on Christmas morning, a Brownie StarFlash camera! Her creative world exploded with endless possibilities and she was living her best life! There was a catch, however. Film had to be developed and she found early on that it was more than her allowance could handle. So, back to the drawing board for a few years until she increased her income and earned babysitting money so she could develop her pictures. As she got older, and as with most kids, her interests evolved into school and friends. Drawing and photography took a back seat.

When she was in junior high her father’s job took the family to other parts of Colorado and New Mexico and the magic of Steamboat Springs that was once at her fingertips disappeared. She became focused on grades, piano lessons, school activities, and then college. Creativity was behind her and was replaced by business courses.

Life changes brought marriage, two children and the most rewarding job of being a full time mom for a few years. Art was definitely not a priority. She did a few drawings and some photos through the years, but it wasn’t until the 90s that her interest in art was reignited.

After moving to Oregon and while working at Willamette University she had the opportunity to study sculpting and drawing with the late art professor, Robert Hess. Under his tutelage her creativity came alive. She later continued her education with well known artist and instructor Carol Hauser (drawing and watercolor) and was kept humble by the sheer joy of learning. Karen’s late husband, Bill, wasn’t a teacher but he was always her biggest supporter. He urged her to keep following her dream and to never give up. She is forever grateful.

Life has interrupted her creative journey many times, but Karen keeps learning through painting and photography workshops and staying in touch with kindred artists. She is a commissioned painter and has earned numerous awards for both her paintings and photographs. She is an active member of the Keizer Art Association and is on the KAA Board. She is honored to be March’s KAA artist of the Month.

You can see Karen's art in the KAA Gallery throughout the month of March.