Bio & Artist Statement

Karen Colangelo was born and raised and currently lives in Mississauga Ontario, Canada.  Her  Father was an Accountant and her Mother was a Watercolour Artist.   She picked up her first brush and started painting at the age of nine.  Karen knew then, that she wanted to be a Fine Artist later in life.

Throughout her artistic career, Karen has created vibrant, colourful and powerful works of art.  She prefers to paint in acrylics and water-soluble oils.  She has a unique way of combining colour, texture, movement and lines in her painting style.   Although self-taught since she was young, Karen received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario.   Soon after, Karen was employed in the field for seventeen years and was focused primarily on the Restaurant & Hospitality Industry.  While employed she created numerous works of art for a very prominent client base.  Karen’s drive and passion for creating works of art were very prominent so she decided to leave the interior design field and focus on her painting full-time.  

For fourteen years, Karen also volunteered as a visiting Artist at elementary schools within her community.  Her vision, still holds today;  “I want to inspire young minds in the visual arts which are so important to the development of our youth today.”   Karen created several classes that she taught at local schools.  Students had the opportunity to express themselves on a small canvas or given materials with paint and receive encouragement and support to express their artistic creativity in their classroom setting.  She teaches the same classes in her Art Studio, KCP Art Studio in Port Credit, Mississauga Ontario.

Karen’s main objective now as a full-time Contemporary Fine Artist; is to create works that inspire and leave a lasting impression on her clients.  As a studio owner, she wants to encourage those who sign up for classes or workshops to ignite and reveal their inner artist.

ARTIST STATEMENT

International Award Recipient, Karen Colangelo conveys within the confines of a room the – Art of Reflection.

She explores the quiet intrigue found within reflection. At the center of each composition are surfaces of objects acting as portals to hidden spaces. Within these reflections, rooms unfold—some inviting, others enigmatic—drawing the viewer into a world where light, contrast, and realism work harmoniously to evoke curiosity and contemplation.

The interplay of light and shadow is essential, guiding the eye through each scene while enhancing the depth and illusion of space. The realism grounds the viewer, yet the reflected rooms disrupt expectations, introducing an element of mystery that lingers. This delicate balance between clarity and ambiguity keeps the composition engaging, encouraging the viewer to look closer, question, and discover.

By framing reflections as windows into unseen narratives, this work challenges perception, urging the viewer to observe and experience the act of looking as an unfolding journey of delight and wonder.