KAREN JOHNSON WYATT
A Timeless Artist
After picking up a paint brush for the first time over 60 years ago, Karen Johnson Wyatt has built a nationwide reputation as a prominent fine artist. She is most notably recognized for her portrayal of historical jazz scenes and personalities. Her creative styles include oil on canvas, acrylic on linen, and 2 styles unique to Wyatt known as "Wyatt's Brushes" and "Wyatt Gone Green".
With a unique artistic perspective, Wyatt often works on large canvas to create pieces with an abundance of color. Many of her life-size paintings of Jazz personalities draw attention from Jazz enthusiast, like her depiction of Jazz legend Miles Davis in acrylic on linen. Wyatt's art is said to use color to draw out the emotions that jazz draws out through improvised sound.
Wyatt's art has been featured many places over the years including the Martin Lawrence Show, Album art for Club Nouveau and percussionist Steven Kroon, as well as the Martin Luther King Jr. street signs in Berkeley, CA. Her works have been featured at Griffin Gallery in Chicago, International Portfolio Gallery in Orlando, Artistic Treasures in Los Angeles, Gwen Ovid Art Gallery in Oakland, and Simmons Gallery in Harlem.
PRIVATE LESSONS
As a professional artist, Wyatt is most proud of her ability to teach young artists, a skill she has developed over the past 5 decades. Private Art Lessons are designed to allow students to tune into themselves and their surroundings in a safe environment. Art lessons build focus, concentration, and hand-eye coordination while encouraging abstract thought.
(Brochure available by request)
ART PURCHASE
Wyatt has always preferred larger canvases for her 4 consistent creative styles. Wyatt's traditional styles include Oil on Canvas and Acrylic on Linen and she has developed two original styles known as Wyatt's Brushes and Wyatt Gone Green. These original styles invoke Wyatt's ability to re-purpose any material she finds into art.
(Prices vary)
GREETING CARDS
In 1980 Wyatt began publishing her original paintings onto greeting cards under a company named after her mother, the Carrie Mae Johnson Card Collection. Soon after she became a well-known producer of African American inspired greeting cards, having her cards sold in several book, card, and gift stores.
(Cards available in boxed sets)
A Message from the Artist
KAREN JOHNSON WYATT
I've always strongly felt the importance of art reaching everyday folk.
Art is for everyone to enjoy and appreciate...
Not just the "upper-class" as we are often led to believe.
And how do you qualify yourself as an appreciator?
You simply develop your taste from visits to shows, galleries, festivals, museums...
And the rest will follow as you continue to enjoy art.
You are now the keeper of our culture.
You are sanctioned to seek out this generation of artists who have made creativity a life choice.
That is my challenge to you...
Contact Me
Thank you for visiting. For inquiries, lessons, commission requests or studio visits, please contact Karen Johnson Wyatt today.
Studio coming soon to
Baltimore, MD
(864) 494-1989
"Art is a cultural statement aesthetically documenting our times."
KAREN JOHNSON WYATT
Karen Johnson Wyatt fine arts shows, conventions & festivals
OVER HALF A CENTURY OF CREATION
BLACK FINE ARTS SHOW
NEW YORK & CHICAGO- 1999, 2006
This show hosts work from galleries across the nation. Wyatt was represented by Griffin Galleries baed in Chicago, IL (2006) and Solango Gallery, who was based in Oakland, CA (1999).
MARIN FINE ART FESTIVAL
MARIN, CA- 1999, 2007-08
This outdoor fine art festival is known as a premier event that draws top quality artists to Northern California. Wyatt regards this as the best outdoor festival she has participated in.
MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL
MONTEREY, CA- 1980'S
An internationally recognized jazz festival that spans a full weekend and features all the top jazz musicians. The outdoor festival is held on the coast line of California.
KCSM JAZZ ON THE HILL
SAN MATEO, CA- 1990'S
Wyatt was a featured artist at this music festival where jazz advocated come to hear the best of the best. Wyatt's art was displayed throughout the city to market the event.
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE EXHIBIT
LOS ANGELES, CA- 1977
This exhibit was held by the Urban League Convention and sponsored by Coca-Cola to feature black artists from the Bay area.
NATIONAL BLACK LAWYERS ASSOC. EXHIBIT
WASHINGTON, D.C. & SAN FRANCISCO, CA- 1990'S
This event draws lawyers and judges from across the country to a convention where Wyatt's original pieces and printed cards were featured.
NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOC. EXHIBIT
NEW ORLEANS, LA & SAN DIEGO, CA- 1998
Wyatt made a name for herself in the city of New Orleans during this exhibit and has met several owners and advocates of her art here.
NATIONAL ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY EXHIBIT
SAN JOSE, CA- 1990'S
As a vendor at the convention Wyatt recalls connecting with prominent black families over her collection of greeting cards.