About

 

 

At the tender age of twelve, Karen started here art career by selling portraits to her classmates.

After receiving her art education, Karen moved to Colorado where her artwork has been accepted in many local and National Art Shows. Karen now lives in South Dakota and continues to sell her artwork online and at art events.

Karen is a self-published artist with over 20 limited edition prints. Karen enjoys working in several mediums, oil, pastel, charcoal, scratchboard as well as sculpture and relief work.

Living in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Karen enjoys studying the wildlife that meanders through her front yard as well as the endless sunsets from her back porch. These sights are often an inspiration for her current work.

EDUCATION

  • Masters in Information Systems
  • Fine art and Illustration, Cal State Fullerton
  • Graphic Design Associate of Arts, graduated with honors, Cerritos Jr. College

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Freelance Artist, Owner, October 1983 to present

  • Self-published artist selling original art and limited-edition prints through her website karenmcade.com, as well as amazon, etsy and in person at art show events, 1990 – present.
  • Featured artist at Artist Expression Art Gallery, Custer South Dakota August 30th thru September 30th, 2023. 
  • Quick Draw artist at the Black Hills Stock Show Western Artists, 2022, 2023
  • Program designer for the Longmont Choral, 2017 - 2020, 2022
  • Commission artist creating portraits and book covers, 2016 - 2022
  • Juried into the 2013 Catalina Fine Art Show
  • Selected by the Custer Stampede Buffalo Art Auction committee to paint life-size a fiberglass buffalo, 2006 - 2016 - ranked highest bid over all 4 times in a row - Owners include private art collectors, donated piece by private collector to the Custer Chamber of Commerce, and The Pony Express National Museum
  • Appointed judge for the Sagebrush 36th Annual Regional Art Exhibit, June 22 – July 19, 2007, Fort Morgan CO
  • Responsible for organizing and judging the annual Fort Lupton Fine art show and sell 2006 - 2010.
  • Received first place award in The Northern Colorado Artist Association All Member Show, 2005
  • Juried into Western and Wildlife fine art show in Estes Park, 1994 - 2002
  • Represented by Benson Fine Art Gallery, Fort Collins Colorado, 1996 - 2005
  • Received Third place award in The Northern Colorado Artist Association All Member Show, 1998
  • Represented by Wildlife and Wilderness Art Gallery, Estes Park Colorado, 1990 – 1994
  • Owner of American Sign company, specialized in custom signs and hand painted murals, 1989 – 1991
  • Juried into Greeley Stampede art show, 1990
  • Designed Logo for Fort Collins Hot Air Balloon Festival, 1988 thru 1991