ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I love the process of painting. It is a dialogue. In the beginning, I am never sure where the painting will end up.  I might have my ideas, but at some point, the painting starts to assert itself. Then the conversation really gets interesting.

My primary tools are drawing, mark making, and color. I love the spontaneous, lyrical feel of gestural drawing. I am also intrigued by color. Depending on what color combinations are put together, along with lights and darks - whole worlds of feeling open up. When line and color are added to texture, shape and composition, a painting begins to take shape. If it works, the painting and I have reached the end of an interesting conversation.

Ultimately, I want to live in a piece, and want to keep coming back to it. Overall, I want to feel something, and hope that the viewer does as well.

BIOGRAPHY
Karen Stastny is an abstract painter whose work is an expression of her personality.  It is often calming, uplifting, and colorful.  A New Orleans native, Stastny enjoys pushing her work to new levels by altering her palette and the structure of her brushstrokes.

Stastny earned her BFA from the University of New Orleans and enrolled in extended study at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts.  She formerly taught at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and the Jewish Community Center on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.  Her work is included in many corporate collections including Iberia Bank; Pan American Life Insurance Company; McGlinchey, Stafford and Mintz Law Firm; Morgan Stanley; Barrasso, Usdin, Kupperman, Freeman & Sarver; and the Butler Snow Law Firm. 

EXHIBITIONS

EDUCATION
1969 BFA University of New Orleans, New Orleans, La.
Extended Workshop studies: Art New England, Mixed Media with Julie Graham Arrowmont; Encaustic with Erin Anfinson; Monoprint workshops with Craig O'Brian and John Scott; Abstract painting workshops with Steve Aimone

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 "Nature Patterns", Cole Pratt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
2014 " AT Play", Cole Pratt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
2011 "Intertwined", Cole Pratt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
2008 " Renewal", Cole Pratt Gallery, New Orleans La.
2005 Cole Pratt Gallery, New Orleans, La
2004 Cole Pratt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
2001 Sylvia Schmidt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
2000 Sylvia Schmidt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
1999 Ashland Gallery, Mobile, Al.
1998 Ashland Gallery, Mobile, Al.
1997 Patio Gallery, Covington, La.
1996 Patio Gallery, Covington, La.
1995 Patio Gallery, Covington, La.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 Fortieth Anniversary Exhibitions, New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
2016 La Femme, New Orleans Art Center, New Orleans, La.
2010 Ashland Gallery, Mobile, Al.
2009 Anniversary Group Exhibition, Ashland Gallery, Mobile, Al.
2008 Miniature Exhibit, New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, New Orleans, La.
" A Tribute to Cole Pratt, His Gallery's First Fifteen Years: 1993-2008", The New Orleans Museum of Fine Arts
2006 "Katrina", New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, New Orleans, La.
2005 " Displaced Artists Exhibition", Ann Connelly Gallery, Baton Rouge, La.
99", LSU Gallery of Art, Baton Rouge, La.
"Tenth Anniversary, 10 by 10", Ashland Gallery, Mobile, La.
2004 "Annual Miniature Exhibition", New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, New Orleans, La.
2003 "Self Portrait Invitational", New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, New Orleans, La.
"Art in Bloom' invited artist participant, New Orleans Museum of Art , New Orleans, La.
"Annual Miniature Exhibit", New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, New Orleans, La.
2002 Group Exhibit, Cole Pratt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
Faculty Exhibit, New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, New Orleans, La.
"45th Annual Delta Exhibition", juried exhibit, Arkansas Art Center
2001 Faculty Exhibit, New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, La. "Julia Street North: A Group Exhibit of New Orleans Warehouse District Gallery Artists"
"Art in Bloom" New Orleans Museum of Art, Artist Participant
2000 Sylvia Schmidt Gallery, New Orleans, La. , Small Paintings Invitational
1999 Sylvia Schmidt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, Christmas Miniature Exhibit
Country Day Gallery, 12 Artists, New Orleans, La.
1998 New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, Christmas Miniature Exhibit
Positive Space Gallery, New Orleans, La., No Dead Artists Exhibit
1997 Stamford Museum, Stamford, Ct, 17th Annual Faber Birren National Color Award Show, Juror: Naomi Urabe
Louisiana Watercolor International Exhibition,
1996 Cone 10 Gallery, New Orleans, La., Invitational
New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, Faculty Choice Exhibit
Louisiana Watercolor International Exhibit, Purchase Award
1995 Cone 10 Gallery, Mixed Media, Group Exhibition of Women Artists
1994 Mississippi Museum of Art, Mississippi Grand National Watercolor Exhibit, Juror: Rob Erdle
Nathaniel Curtis Gallery, New Orleans, La.
1993 Art in Bloom, Louisiana Watercolor Society Group Exhibit, Canal Place, New Orleans, La.
1992 Louisiana Watercolor Society, juried member show, First Place Award, New Orleans, La.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2000 - 2013 Painting Instructor, Jewish Community Center, New Orleans, La.,
2003 - 2011 Board Member, KidsmArt, New Orleans, La.
2002 - 2001 Instructor of Independent Studies and Abstract Painting, New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
2001 - 2002 Instructor, Abstract Painting, for the Colony at Country Day Academy, New Orleans, La.
Workshop teacher for abstract painting, portrait drawing and painting, Jewish Community Center, New Orleans, La.

GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Cole Pratt Gallery, New Orleans, La.
Ashland Gallery, Mobile, Al.

SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Ritz Carlton Hotel, New Orleans, La.
Ochsner Hospital
New Orleans Country Club, New Orleans, La.
Iberia Banks , New Orleans, La.
Pan American Life Insurance Company
McGlinchey, Stafford and Mintz Law Firm, LLC, New Orleans, La.
Morgan Stanley
Barrasso, Usdin, Kupperman & Sarver, LLC, Atty at law
Butler Snow Law Firm, Gulfport, Ms.