ARTIST STATEMENT
Technicolor Surreal Landscapes of the Imagination
Karlyn Atkinson Berg
I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in painting in 1967. In NYC, after college in the frugal years without paint, I created large paper compositions using found images. This early collage work led me to focus on positive and negative shapes, space, and found color components to create paintings. I approach the collage medium as a painting, not as a mere assembly of images.
My fascination with wilderness wildlife, especially predators, inspired me to study wolves, move to Minnesota to work on wolf conservation. I served as the artist research consultant to help design the "Wolves and Humans” exhibit for the Science Museum of Minnesota. Significantly, this research into art and literature, wolves and nature, laid the foundation for my “abstract nature odyssey” paintings. “Nature Re-envisioned and Reality Transformed” was inspired by the writings of Garcia de Marquez, magic realism, and surrealism. In 2021, I created 8 panels to develop as a 16-foot landscape painting. I named this collection “Unconventional Journey” because this endeavor advanced my journey to create this metaphorical landscape.
There, the connection between animals, humans, and wilderness grew as a dominant theme in my painting. I do not attempt to depict nature's reality but instead create abstract visual landscapes using shapes, colors, forms, and images. I try to discover and express visually the creative, inspirational power of the natural world that cannot be portrayed by words alone.
Recently, I explored incorporating oil paint, paper, and acrylic to create a unique mix of textures and visual depth. The fusion paintings were on small panels and were successful foundation works. I found that blending oil paint added compelling transformations and richer textures over the flat acrylic and collage surfaces, as well as subtle color transitions, blending and layering, or vigorous impasto textures.
I am beginning a new fusion series with the grant support of the Minnesota State Arts Board. I have received seven grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and three Arrowhead Regional Arts Council grants. I also offer painting workshops with support from the MacRostie Art Center and Ripple River Gallery.