About
Karen received a BA (Hons) in Fine art from Sheffield Hallam University in 1990 and lives and works in Sheffield. She has work in public collections in the UK and private collections internationally.
Karen has been listed in the Who's Who of galleries and dealers since 2002.
"I was born in Stamford in the USA but moved to the UK when I was around 2 and a half years old. I grew up in the midlands, but have lived in Sheffield now for over 30 years. I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Hallam University in 1990 and set up Cupola Contemporary Art in 1991. As the founder, curator and managing director of Cupola Gallery, my own art practice took a back seat for many years. I kick started my painting practice again in 2014 and now split my time between the gallery and my studio.
I have always been drawn to outdoor spaces and the sea and the coast in particular. Like so many people, I am in awe of the power and the beauty of our natural world. Originally inspired by the dramatic landscapes of the UK's north east coastline, my work has developed away from topographical depictions of particular places towards allowing the landscape to emerge from the physical act of painting, using the process to direct the shape, colour and form of the final piece. The depiction of light is a key aspect in my work. Turner is a big influence as well as other artists whose use of colour and marks are used as powerful emotive tools including such people as Helen Frankenthaler, Mark Rothko, Joan Eardley, Cy Twombly.
Each painting goes through many layers and the history of the work is as important at the final image. It is important to me that the final paintings are emotive and evocative and create a sense of place, despite each landscape being 'of no place in particular'."
Karen Sherwood
Work is held in Public collections in the UK and private collections internationally.
