A Glance at Why I Paint & Who I Am
Acrylic and Oil on Canvas: mixed media, vintage paper, graphics, and found items. Add some spray paint and charcoal and other stuff and that’s what I do.
Writing is a big part of my life both personally and professionally. However, after the onset of the pandemic it was difficult to put even two sentences together. I was losing my mom to dementia and, now in hindsight, losing a lot more.
I was, like many, mad, and worried. We all lived in disbelief and, often, watching the news, seeking any information that would guide us and comfort us during this unreal time. Nationwide protests, societal upheaval and frustration took over as we simultaneously all navigated a new work where we could not be with friends or family.
So, I decided to dust off unopened art supplies from previous years and start painting.
The Result
Canvases with images and words, some filled with anger, some with hope and almost all mixed with social and political commentary while also incorporating the things I loved and wanted as I also screamed at the world.
Some things were there from the very beginning, including my daughter’s name, ALISON written in the corner of a canvas or anywhere on the piece. I also always, in some way, used images culled from old magazines, advertisements, postcards, photographs and other items from flea markets and vintage shops.
Suddenly, these items, these valued collections found a greater purpose and are incorporated in all my work. I love the juxtaposition of older images, and contemporary themes that are relevant, thought-provoking and I believe are important to share, all while sharing personal feelings and changes in my life that would hopefully resonate with others.
Painting gave me an outlet to express the feelings that I felt and hoped would “talk” to others – both at this time and in the future.
Today, now four years later, I am finally taking classes with some experts to learn the many techniques I didn’t know when I was just blasting music and painting in a crazy, real and passionate way.
I hope to continue this new love affair with art, learn and share with others that may love, laugh or relate to my crazy paintings!
Karen Amster-Young’s Pandemic Paintings Tell A Tale
Karen Amster-Young, a writer and communications professional, has been drawn to art her entire life, but it wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that she finally picked up the paintbrush and began creating. The art started as a therapeutic way to deal with the stresses of all that was happening in the world, but became something even more beautiful. Read More…
MUSIC SPEAKS (2024)
