By Mark Bialczak

LPL Communications Specialist

Karen Koegel says she hopes looking at her art gives the same kind of happiness she feels creating it.

“It brings me joy how people can connect to my work,” said Koegel (pronounced Kay-gel), who has 17 acrylics and mixed media pieces hanging on the walls of the Liverpool Public Library for the May Art in the Lobby exhibit.

“Wonderment of May” has allowed patrons of the Liverpool Public Library to ponder the meaning of Koegel’s work throughout this month. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20, Koegel will hang out in the LPL lobby herself to discuss her work with interested visitors.

“I’m going to be feeding them, too,” Koegel said with a chuckle while talking about her art, herself and the pending Meet the Artist reception.

Koegel has been painting for four years. Her acceptance in the community has been quick and thorough. One piece, “Jumping in a Pile of Leaves,” has been displayed at the Everson Museum of Art in downtown Syracuse.

She began painting, she said, as a way to find relief from chronic pain and depression.

“The creative process helps me get outside myself,” Koegel said.

She’s painted about 60 pieces overall, she said. Her work has been exhibited at the Onondaga County Public Library’s Hazard Branch, and she also attends community craft shows. Koegel doesn’t have a website or social media account.  “I’m in the process of getting Instagram,” she said.

She’s sold most of her pieces through great word-of-mouth.

“I feel called to do this,” Koegel said.

Koegel lives in the DeWitt area. She said she’ll feel a special tie with the Liverpool community because “my grandparents were married at St. Joseph the Worker (church).”

She’ll bring smaller pieces to the receptions, such as bookmarks and journals.

“I’ll take them through how I get through the day, the pain. How I plan my art,” Koegel said. “How the bright, vibrant colors can bring me out of a funk.”