Karen Lacey

Artist Statement

I work in oil to explore the movement and energy of the natural world. My paintings begin in realism but increasingly drift toward surreal and abstract influences, reflecting a personal evolution in how I perceive and express nature’s rhythms. I’m captivated by the way wind, light, and water shape the landscape—not just physically, but emotionally—and I strive to capture that dynamic essence on canvas.
My work seeks to balance representation with imagination. Realistic forms often dissolve into expressive gestures, echoing the fluidity and mystery of the environments I observe. This transition allows me to explore not only what is seen, but what is felt—inviting viewers into a space where nature pulses with life and spirit.
Oil paint offers the depth and flexibility I need to layer meaning and motion. Each piece is a meditation on transformation, shaped by intuition and a reverence for nature’s quiet power. Through this work, I aim to evoke a sense of connection—between viewer and landscape, between stillness and change.