Baltimore Woods to host works of artist Karen Burns

Baltimore Woods to host works of artist Karen Burns

Submitted by Karen Jean Smith

Gallery Coordinator

What is it about the different seasons of the year that bring you visual joy? Could it be the colors of the leaves in our forests that change so dramatically in the fall?

Perhaps the white of the winter snow especially impresses you.

The fresh colors that emerge in spring or the patchwork-like fields of summer may be among your favorite observations.

For artist Karen Burns, a painter of landscapes throughout the year, all of these seasonal delights and more provide inspiration for new work.

Her vision is reflected in her oil paintings, which will be on view at Baltimore Woods Nature Center through Oct. 27 in the gallery of the John A. Weeks Interpretive Center at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus.

The public is invited to attend the artist reception on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 2:30 until 4 p.m.

This is an informal event when visitors can meet the artist, ask questions, and enjoy refreshments.

The exhibit may also be viewed Monday through Friday, 9 to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays 10 to 4 p.m. There are no admission or parking fees, and all of the artwork is for sale.

Visitors to this exhibit will see a variety of paintings depicting all four seasons of the year as we experience them in Central New York.

The interpretations of these experiences are unique to each of us, and in Burns’ case this is reflected in her style that has changed over time.

Once a more literal artist, viewers will see that Burns’ work has become more abstracted, or as she would say, “distilled,” and yet, the subject matter is easily recognizable.

“Burns’ interest in time of day and quality of light along with her use of color and shape all play important roles in her paintings,” Gallery Coordinator Karen Jean Smith said. “We can see this, for example, in ‘Labrador Hollow IV,’ a painting that draws us along a pathway into the woods. The effect is both calming and serene.”

Although the subject matter may be familiar, Burns believes that a successful piece should be a bit of a surprise, even to her, the maker.

“My most satisfying work happens when I relinquish control of outcomes and let the paintings dictate the process,” she said. “. . . Sometimes insight gained from earlier paintings organically finds its way into the new work, this fresh perspective unearthing a richer understanding of the subject matter.”

Burns lives in Syracuse and creates her work in her home studio.

Although her primary medium is oil, she has been exploring digital art in recent years, and enjoying a new world of possibilities.