Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) is proud to spotlight founding member Karen Now-Stimac, an artist whose richly textured works celebrate the subtle beauty of the natural world. With artwork exhibited across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Karen’s creative journey reflects both international reach and deep local roots.
A member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Society of Experimental Artists, an international organization dedicated to innovation in visual art, Karen continues to expand her practice through exploration and experimentation. She attended the Alberta College of Art and Design and has studied under several world-renowned artists. Yet, it is her self-directed exploration of technique and material that has most profoundly shaped her evolving artistic voice.
Working primarily in acrylics, Karen pushes the boundaries of the medium by incorporating collage and mixed media elements. Pressed flowers, grasses, small branches, stones—materials gathered from familiar surroundings—are layered and embedded into heavy applications of paint. The result is abstract, highly textured compositions that invite viewers to look closer and reconnect with the landscapes they may otherwise overlook.
In her own words:
“Looking closely at my work, you’ll find items from our natural surroundings 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 backyards, resulting in abstract, highly textured pieces.”