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SALEM - The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, 210 E. State St., Salem, will host its Meet the Artist open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3..
Award-winning animal artist Karen Henry began expressing her love of pets and wildlife through her art as a young child. A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., she was chosen to represent her school as an honors candidate in a weekly student art program at Carnegie Mellon University. She later earned a BA degree in English at Grove City College and spent most of her professional life in the fields of printing, copy writing, and editing. Her original interest and skills in drawing and charcoals expanded into painting. Over the past 10 years, requests for her commissioned pet and wildlife portraits resulted in "Animal Spirits," her "retirement job." Acrylics and pastels are her favorite mediums for her commissioned pieces. Through workshops and involvement in various artists groups and organizations, Karen is anxious to experiment more with oils and watercolors.
Although she also enjoys painting landscapes, still life, and other subjects, Henry's passion for animals and wildlife remains the dominant theme in her art and lifestyle. She is an active member and volunteer with the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center, as well as a 30-year docent with the Pittsburgh Zoo, both of which inspire the conservation message reflected in her artwork. She calls her artistic style "hyper-realism," focusing on the finest details that bring out the natural beauty and soul of the subjects she loves.