Karen Alberti

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Biography

Karen Alberti, a visual artist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has nurtured a lifelong passion for drawing and painting. From an early age, her artistic inclinations were evident, though they took a backseat during her high school years when she was encouraged to pursue a more academic path. Despite setting aside her creative pursuits, Karen’s fascination with art endured, sparked anew by captivating courses in Art History during her undergraduate studies.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, Karen gradually found her way back to art. While working as an administrative assistant, she seized opportunities to attend numerous art classes and workshops, immersing herself once again in the creative world. Her involvement with the Ann Arbor Women Artists group provided an outlet to showcase her work in various exhibits, fostering her growth as an artist.
In recent years, Karen has deepened her artistic practice through online courses offered by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Walk the Arts in Ottawa, Canada. Now retired, she dedicates herself fully to her artistic evolution. With a renewed focus and an adventurous spirit, Karen continues to explore and refine her unique creative voice.

Statement

When I was at University I decided to adopt a cat. The cat quickly became my muse. I would spend hours sketching her, filling entire pages with layered, overlapping drawings. These explorations sparked a love for creating abstract, enigmatic images of cats in unusual poses and surreal settings.

The cat is an enigma. For me, the cat represents independence, cleverness, intuition, and humor. By creating these paintings of cats, I am asserting my own independence of thought and self-expression. Through this work I explore my imagination and understanding of the world around me. I begin with the production of quick, gestural sketches—intuitive responses to spontaneous ideas that surface in my mind. From these sketches, my paintings evolve and chart their own path to completion. I immerse myself in artists’ works, past and present, finding inspiration that shapes and enriches my works.

I draw inspiration from the Fauves’ bold use of color and abstraction, Franz Marc’s expressive depictions of animals, and the dreamlike qualities of surrealism and abstract expressionism. Immersing myself in the works of past and contemporary artists fuels my creativity, shaping my perspective and artistic voice.

In modern society we are bombarded by images from many sources. The cat form is easily recognizable and also malleable. Cats can be affectionate, skittish, and temperamental. They have their positive and negative traits. By manipulating the cat forms and introducing human elements in my paintings, I create dissonance between what we see and what we know about cats.