More About Me — Karen Elwing

Art saved me, and I believe it can transform your life too. I grew up surrounded by creativity — my mother was a painter, and from her I learned both the skill and the love of painting. I sold my first work at 13, but when my mother suffered a debilitating stroke just two years later, everything changed.

 

In the midst of that tragedy, it was her creative spirit living inside me that carried me forward. That experience shaped my resilience and my belief that art is more than decoration; it’s a way of honoring life, beauty, and connection.

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Over the years, my path has taken me through design, trades, hospitality, and raising our two amazing children, but painting has always remained the constant thread. Along the way, I earned a bachelor's degree in Painting and Drawing from UW–Milwaukee, which deepened both my skill and my devotion to the craft.

 

Today, my original oil paintings — along with fine art giclée prints — are created with the intention of bringing warmth, beauty, and meaning into people’s lives. For me, art is about more than filling a wall; it’s about creating moments that connect with people, resonate with their stories, and elevate the everyday.