Karen Spears, Artist
Karen has called Sheldon in Northwest Iowa home since 1997, where she paints, sculpts, and works with stained glass mosaics. Since she has always lived in the Midwest and grew up on an Iowa farm the Midwest landscape and natural surroundings are the inspiration and backbone of her art.
Beginning as a self-taught painter, she freely developed her individual style and technique using oils and pastels. For some unknown reason, during the last ten years, she turned to sculpture and glass as another medium with which to create using color and shape.
"I am fascinated with the process of starting with the rawness of concrete and turning it into a colorful sculpture of reflection and depth. Stained glass mosaics are
another way for me to work with glass and this media gives me the
pleasure of "painting with glass."
In 2005, Karen and a fellow artist opened the Blue Monkey Gallery in Archer, IA. The gallery is located in the historic Archer bank building. They display and sell fine art by local artists and hold special events throughout the year. Karen has participated in the Iowa Sculpture Festival, Art in the Park at Lake Okoboji, Artburst in Orange City, and art demonstrations at the Sheldon Depot. She has also served as a judge for the Siouxland Conference Art Show and served five years on the Sheldon Art Council.
"The act of creating and promoting art is the most satisfying endeavor for me and a never-ending pursuit."