Karen Now-Stimac

Biography: Karen Now-Stimac, a founding member of Antigo Visual Arts (AVA), has had works displayed throughout the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. She’s a member of the Society of Experimental Artists, an international organization, the Federation of Canadian Artists, and attended the Alberta College of Art and Design. Ms. Stimac has attended work shops conducted by several world renowned artists, although her self-directed study of various techniques has allowed her to grow and expand her craft. She works primarily in acrylics, but also experiments with collage and mixed media. Her home gallery and studio in Antigo, Wisconsin can be visited by appointment and holds many works-in-progress, as well as dozens of finished seasonal pieces that she frequently displays in local and regional art shows.

Personal Statement: Looking closely at my work, you’ll find items from our natural surrounding that we often take for granted, and may not even see. The local wildlife, plants, and landscapes depicted, give the viewer a subliminal connection to our everyday surroundings. I utilize acrylics and layered collage, superimposing materials found in our own back yards, that result in an abstract, highly textured piece.

Karen Now-Stimac’s Artwork

Wisconsin Landscape Back Field

This award winning painting is a scene from my parents’ property in southern Langlade County, and one of my favorites. I would sit on the edge of the meadow, beneath the oak, and sketch for hours. The trees and the grasses in the foreground are relatively detailed and rather textured, while those in the distance fade through atmospheric perspective and a smoother surface, giving them an almost ghostly aura.

Four Seasons on Three Canvases

Moving from left to right, this archival piece blends spring, into summer, with a brief visit to fall, ending with the arrival winter. The textural elements are achieved by utilizing pressed flowers, grasses, small branches, and stones, held in place by heavy applications of acrylic paint.