Watercolor Sunflower by Karen Turok. On watercolor paper. 20in tall x 15in wide.

Artist's Statement

I've always loved making art and have used a variety of media. I began focusing on watercolor when I moved to a tiny studio apartment with limited space for extensive supplies and no possibility of avoiding the constant turpentine fumes. I signed up for a course at the NY Botanical Society, "Flowers in Watercolor" and quickly fell in love with the medium. All I needed was paper, water, and odorless paint.

Flowers are my favorite subject. I'm drawn to their beauty, intensity of color and geometric design. Memories of spending summers in the Catskills, surrounded by endless choices in nature to paint, still provide inspiration. Watercolors are unpredictable. There's a fine line between controlling the paint and letting go, where the unexpected happens. The balance of the two can create an unusual and interesting surprise. Every pigment has its own qualities and reacts differently when mixed with water. Adding a different color will create an entirely new effect, determined by how much water is added; whether the paper is wet or dry; whether the paint is transparent, semitransparent, opaque, or granulated; and which color is on top. Even the weather can affect how the paint lays on the paper. The combinations are infinite, creating an intentional outcome or something delightfully unexpected. That is the joy of watercolor!

I've studied at the Art Students League and the National Academy School in New York but I'm mostly self-taught. My work has been exhibited in group shows and appears in private collections.