Born in the lush, gently rolling farmlands
of western Michigan, Karen VanDam Michmerhuizen was early on aware of
the constant interplay of light and shadow caused by the clouds which
continually form and drift ashore along the vast expanse of Lake Michigan.
The vivid richness of Michigan's four distinct seasons formed a lavish
palette that delighted her senses and called her to brush and canvas.
But it was only after raising four children and leaving a career as an
academic secretary that she began devoting full-time to her artistic
endeavors. Today she and her husband plan their travels to specific painting
locations, and in between she spends much time outdoors either in her
spectacular garden or various close-to-home scenic locals, capturing
the lights and colors she so admired as a child.
She has attended several workshops, including the Plein Air Painters of America Workshop in Old Lyme, Connecticut in 2003. There she worked with Matt Smith, Lynn Gertenbach and Kevin MacPherson. Workshops in Michigan include instruction with Ken Cadwallader, Oxbow School of Art on the Meadow with James Brandess, class instruction with Bruce McCombs at Hope College and seminars with Diane VanNoord and Pierre Bittar. In October 2007 Karen attended a workshop with Albert Handell and the Putney Painters in Putney, Vermont, which included a day with Richard Schmid. In August '08 she attended a workshop with Camille Prezwodek in Easton, Maryland and in January 2010 attended a three-day workshop with Roger Dale Brown at the Palette and Chisel Academy in Chicago. Karen will be returning in July for a fourth year as an Artist-in-Residence tot he Terrace Inn, Bay View, Michigan. She was accepted into the Muskegon Art Museum's juried show in May and will be a featured artist in the upcoming ArtPrize, at Open Concept Gallery, Lewis St, Grand Rapids, MI, September 21 through October 11.
Recently Karen has joined a the Plein Air Artists of West Michigan who meet to paint on sanctuary land and preserves twice a month throughout the year.
Karen has chosen to use her maiden name "VanDam" as her artistic signature.
Artist's StatementWhen I view the world in which we live, the possibilities for painting are both beautiful and challenging. Shorelines, country scenes and gardens are some of my favorite venues. I like to observe light and shadow, color and shape at varying times of the day for the best light for plein air painting. My inspiration comes from the ordinary as there is always something special in the everyday lives most of us live. When painting, my ideal is to make the viewer feel he or she has also been or would like to be at the same spot, to feel the sun, hear the waves, or smell the flowers. Life's journey has many events and turns and I am grateful for each one. My thanks are to God for the gift of artistic ability. If I am successful as an artist it is because He has given me the desire to continue the learning process for as long as I am able. There is a need in my soul, whether it is gardening or painting, to help in some small way to make the world a more beautiful and peaceful place. |
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© 2011 Riverwalk Studio - michmer@charter.net