iNNERVIEWS
| Art is Life a look into the art of Karen Stefanik-Riley |
She is a woman of few words, but her
art speaks volumes. It is said that art
imitates life. In the works of Karen
Stefanik-Riley, life is the inspiration
behind the art. In fact, her oil paintings
imitate life so well, that it may be difficult
to tell the difference between art & life.
3PR: Buenos dias, senorita. Please state your name for our readers.
Karen: Karen Riley
3PR: Is that your real name or a “professional” name?
Karen: It’s as real as it gets.
3PR: If you had a “stage” name that you would paint under, what would it be?
Karen: I usually sign my paintings with my maiden name “Stefanik”. I may add “Riley” to
my artist signature at a later time…I haven’t decided yet. Sorry…no super creative artsy
name for me! J I like the idea of staying with a consistant name throughout the years,
rather than change my name with my mood.
3PR: I think “Stefanik-Riley” would be a cool name. Ambiguous, genderless, funky!
Anyway, tell us what the weather is like where you are?
Karen: Karen Riley
3PR: Is that your real name or a “professional” name?
Karen: It’s as real as it gets.
3PR: If you had a “stage” name that you would paint under, what would it be?
Karen: I usually sign my paintings with my maiden name “Stefanik”. I may add “Riley” to
my artist signature at a later time…I haven’t decided yet. Sorry…no super creative artsy
name for me! J I like the idea of staying with a consistant name throughout the years,
rather than change my name with my mood.
3PR: I think “Stefanik-Riley” would be a cool name. Ambiguous, genderless, funky!
Anyway, tell us what the weather is like where you are?
3PR: Do you have a routine that you go through to get ready
to create?
Karen: For the most part, I will start off with a quick sketch of my
idea, block in some basic values and colors, and move on to the
details.
3PR: In their as yet unreleased song, “thenew” by the MLC3,
there is a line that says, “for to create isfreedom.” Do you find similar
freedom when creating your wonderful paintings?
Karen: Absolutely!
to create?
Karen: For the most part, I will start off with a quick sketch of my
idea, block in some basic values and colors, and move on to the
details.
3PR: In their as yet unreleased song, “thenew” by the MLC3,
there is a line that says, “for to create isfreedom.” Do you find similar
freedom when creating your wonderful paintings?
Karen: Absolutely!
3PR: What inspires you to create?
Karen: Oh my gosh, so many
things…music, art, people, nature,
and the list goes on and on!
3PR: ML has expressed a great
appreciation for your art work. It
seems that the common timbre of
art in all of its forms resonates with
artists. Do you feel a similar
appreciation for the artistic
endeavors of
others?
Karen: Very much so…I have such
an appreciation for musicians,
photographers, actors, visual
artists. I become inspired to draw
and paint when I surround myself
around other artists. The creative
energy can be contagious!
Karen: Oh my gosh, so many
things…music, art, people, nature,
and the list goes on and on!
3PR: ML has expressed a great
appreciation for your art work. It
seems that the common timbre of
art in all of its forms resonates with
artists. Do you feel a similar
appreciation for the artistic
endeavors of
others?
Karen: Very much so…I have such
an appreciation for musicians,
photographers, actors, visual
artists. I become inspired to draw
and paint when I surround myself
around other artists. The creative
energy can be contagious!
Karen: Is this a trick question? :) The weather is mild right now...perfect weather, for me at least.
3PR: How does this kind of weather make you feel?
Karen: Being that I hate extreme hot and extreme cold, the fall weather here in Charlotte is perfect. I feel
rejuvenated when the air is crisp, clean and the skies are blue. I feel a sense of freedom. I feel like I can
breathe…if that makes any sense.
3PR: It is said that life oft times imitates art. As an artist, how do you figure into this equation?
Karen: A lot of my art is based on observation, along with some imagination. I believe that life and art
go hand in hand. What would one be without the other?
3PR: Karen Riley, you are one talented artist & we wish you much success. Any parting words for our
readers?
Karen: Thank you so much for the opportunity.
All images (c) 2001-2005 Stefanik Riley Images. All rights reserved. Images used with kind permission.
Karen: A lot of my art is based on observation, along with some imagination. I believe that life and art
go hand in hand. What would one be without the other?
3PR: Karen Riley, you are one talented artist & we wish you much success. Any parting words for our
readers?
Karen: Thank you so much for the opportunity.
All images (c) 2001-2005 Stefanik Riley Images. All rights reserved. Images used with kind permission.
