ABOUT ME

Hello,

In elementary school my mother signed me up for drawing and painting classes after school. I have been drawing, painting, crafting, writing, creating . . . ever since.

I am a Mechanical Engineer in the Computer Aided Design field, raising 2 sons with my husband and living my life. I have interests in gardening, reading, and philosophy in a Tao/Zen kind of way.

My current set of work is somewhat abstract landscapes, created on large canvas, using a 3 inch yellow plastic putty knife and acrylic paint. Once the image is complete, I finish with isolation layers and varnish.

My profile picture was taken by my fabulous mother at a bar in Provincetown, Cape Cod. Thanks mom!

Enjoy my work and contact me if you have any questions!

Interested in where to view my work in person? Check out the events section.

Interested in learning more about my art bio or history, scroll down for more information or contact me here.

 MY ART HISTORY

2024 - shows, events, on-going relationships, studio

• solo show - MAY, selected by the Suffield Arts Council for the Kent Memorial Library, Suffield CT - newspaper article

• show - DEC 2023-MAY 2024, Worthington Winery, Somers, CT

• on-going - April thru present, Suffield Village Dentist, Suffield Village Shopping Center

• on-going - 2023 thru present, Cafe Barista, Suffield Village Shopping Center

• on-going - 2019 thru present, Native Sun boutiques in Newburyport MA and Portsmouth NH, wearable art and art on walls

• on-going - JAN thru present, Studio at 880 Burbank Studios, Suffield CT

2023 - shows, events, on-going relationships, studio

• juried show - FEB, Workshop 13 gallery, Ware MA

• juried show - FEB-APR, Slow River Studio Gallery, Topsfield, MA

• juried show - MAR, Stamford Art Association for Townhouse Gallery, Stamford CT

• juried show - MAR-APR, Danvers Art Association for Danvers Library, Danvers MA

• juried show - MAR-MAY, Monson Arts Council for Spring Art Exhibition, Monson MA

• show - MAY-JUL, DEC, Porter Mill Studios gallery wall and open studio, Beverly MA

• juried show - SEP, Connecticut Women’s Artist for Annual Open Show, Farmington CT

• show - NOV-DEC, 2 person show, Beverly Farms Library, Beverly MA

• event - NOV-DEC, Beverly Main Streets selected for ART WALK in the Cabot Lodge, Beverly MA

• on-going - 2021 thru 2023, Studio at Porter Mill Studios, Beverly MA

2016 thru 2023 - shows, events, on-going relationships, studio

• juried show - Topsfield Fair - 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

• solo show - Topsfield Library - 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

• solo show - Centennial Gallery, Peabody MA - 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021

• solo show - Under The Sea Gallery, Newburyport MA - 2019

• solo show - Chelmsford Library - 2019

• juried show - Porter Mill Gallery, Beverly MA - 2019

PRE 2015 - shows, events, on-going relationships, studio

• juried show - Crane Estate - The Trustees, Newburyport MA

• juried show - Textron / AVCO Lycoming employee art show, Stratford CT

How I make the art

How I make my painted art:

• Fluid / Pour Style - I use a simplified prep method for my pours. Sometimes I use my wall spackle tools to manipulate the pour, other times I tip and angle the canvas to get the paint to stretch and interact as the different layers rise up and create interesting patterns.

• Wall Spackle Tool (no brushes) - I use 1.5 to 5 inch wall spackle tools to swipe, blend, and dab paint layers on the canvas.

• Plastic Wrap (no brushes) - I love using non typical tools to work with the paint. Plastic wrap is versatile. It can be used to create large area texture or used to add small highlight detail or used to create interesting blending. I find it useful for leaves in my landscapes.

• What I never use are brushes (except to sign my art). I prefer to reuse items that would get thrown away.

How I make my ink on paper art:

• Doodle Style - My approach varies depending on where my mind has gone. Sometimes I need structure to start and then I ‘fill in’ with patterns or colors. Sometimes I start anywhere on the paper and just start, working outward in a random pattern. Sometimes I have a theme or a color set I try to work within or a symbolic shape I want to focus on.

• Triangle Beings Style - This style came from a Doodle drawing I created based on the triangle shape. The triangle is a shape that symbolizes strength. A triangle point down represents feminine energy and a triangle point up represents masculine energy, that gave me the idea to create sets of people, like portrait sets. I create custom sets of people for all different kinds of occasions.

A display of artistic creations, done with unconventional tools and materials, will grace the walls of the Pinney Gallery of the Kent Memorial Library in May [2024].

Artist Karen Fieldstad creates fascinating, wild and colorful works on canvas, to thrill and delight viewers. She refers to her creations as '“mystical - fantastical landscapes.” She enjoys hearing what people see and feel when engaging with her art. She hopes to take you away from your everyday mind and allow you a moment of pause and peace.

those interested in seeing more of Karen’s work may find it a www.karenfieldstad.com or visit her at 880 Burbank St in Suffield.

The show will be on display throught he month of May, opening May 1. A “Meet the Artist” reception is slated for May 9 from 6 to 8 pm, open to the public.

This event is made possible through the efforts of the artist, the Suffield Arts Council, and the Kent Memorial Library Staff.