KAREN PHILPOTT, AIS “Painting the landscape from life, in all its wildness, has become my life’s pursuit. I consider myself a modern impressionist who is drawn to the effect’s of light as nature presents it.” A native of Tennessee, Karen resides in the small coastal town of Fairhope, AL. Recent awards include honorable Mention Wet Wall Competition, American Impressionist Showcase, Open Division, Quick Draw, Best of Show, Plein Air of the Smokies and The “Award of Excellence” by the American Impressionist Society Small Works 2021 National Show. Memberships include the American Impressionist Society, Signature Member, Oil Painters of America, and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, and a member of PAP-SE (Plein Air Painters of the Southeast) Karen served in 2021, as the President of The Chestnut Group, a plein air organization of over 200 members whose mission is painting to preserve vanishing landscapes of Tennessee. Additionally she teaches landscape workshops, and judges national painting competitions. When asked to define her style, she is comfortable with the terms Modern Impressionist. Influenced by the Impressionist Artists of the past and American Plein Air Artists before her, she paints in plein air before moving to her studio to create larger pieces. Capturing the natural landscape is the subject she is drawn to. Her goal is to capture in oils, the atmosphere, light and impression nature presents in every season. Awards & Organizations 2023 Honorable Mention Wet Wall Competition American Impressionist Small Works Showcase 2023 Shadows on the Teche Plein Air First Place Quick Draw2022 Best in Show, Quick Draw, Plein Air of the Smokies2021 “Award of Excellence” American Impressionist Small Works Show2019 “Honorable Mention“ Artist on Location, Knoxville Museum of Art2017 Haven Foundation Award - Fine Artist Oil Painting2016 “Award of Acknowledgement” The Pryor Art Gallery2011 “Best In Show - Oil Painter”, Maury County "Art For The Parks"American Impressionist Society, Signature Member Oil Painters of America, Associate Member Member Plein Air Painters of the Southeast - PAP-SEEDUCATION : BFA1978, Middle Tennessee State University / Studied under: Roger Dale Brown, OPAM, Scott Christensen, OPAM Howard Friedland, OPAM