Karen Coy

I was born and raised in NM and spent most of my life in the Four Corners. I love the nature and the people from this area; they are a special mix. My art is reflective of this love and many other influences. I traveled and enjoyed works of art and architecture from all over the world. You can identify bits and pieces of these in my Dreams and Memories paintings. I hope that they inspire your own imagination and memories. They also represent life’s twists and turns and the different roads we can choose. My first artistic endeavor was when I was five years old. I drew a clown standing on his head and won a family pass to the drive-in movie! Art has always been a part of my life. I began painting Christmas ornaments in high school. Many of my friends and clients have collected them for generations now. I was a banker for the major portion of my life. I had to retire early due to my health. I had uncontrolled Rheumatoid Arthritis which was quite crippling until I received the right combination of medicine. During those years I was unable to paint because the joints in my hands were so swollen and painful that I was unable to close my hands or hold a brush or pencil. I hadn’t realized how important art was to me until I could no longer paint. I received the amazing gift of a second chance. I studied watercolor at San Juan College, and I studied oils with artist Rod Hubble. I have been able to pursue painting with a focus and passion that I had not known before.