Karen Rumora

ENCAUSTICS

“Encaustic painting utilizes a heated beeswax medium to which colored pigments have been added and applied to a surface. In the most recent series, I experimented with grids and linear patterns that evolved from memories of kayaking, woodland hikes, sunsets, and summer lawns being mowed. Often the lines suggest coordinates and compartmentalize marks in space. In other pieces, I used homemade paper pulps made from recycled materials that I mound to form treescapes. Often I burn panels to start the foundation of scenes that are then built up with layers of encaustic medium”

UNDISCLOSED COORDINATES • 2023 • encaustic • 30x40"

CRIMSON • 2023 • encaustic • 40x30"

RED MOWER • 2023 • encaustic • 18X18"

FOREST • 2023 • encaustic • 40x30"

SOULS OF TREES • 2023 • encaustic • 24x36"

AQUA FOREST • 2021 • encaustic • 72X48"

BIOPHILIA

"The biophilia series is a meditative process in which I focus on an exaggerated repetition of shapes and forms. These are reminiscent of cells floating within light and darkness. Color and pattern take on a strong role as over scaled pointillism, while carrying on a theme of woodland visions."

BLUE FOREST • 2023 • acrylic on canvas• 72x50"

GREEN GROVE • 2023 • oil on canvas • 60x50"

LOVE FOREST • 2022 • oil on canvas • 44.5X60"

RESILENCE & REVIVAL • 2021• acrylic on canvas • 72x104"

CITY SYCAMORE • 2020 • oil on canvas • 60x48"

BIOPHILIA • 2019 • oil on canvas • 36X36"

LANDSCAPES

"The latest series of landscapes are creations of imagined visions. Light and color inform a fictional take on the natural environment. These are landscapes of our imagination; bubbles and forms float across the canvas, lending levity to the events of nature’s potential demise. They are simulations of idealistic landscapes contained with paint on canvas."

GOLDEN TREES & RIVER • 2024 • acrylic on canvas • 32x50"

BLUE RIVER PINK TREES • 2023 • 36x24 • acrylic on canvas • 36x24"

PINK RIVER • 2023 • oil on canvas • 10x20"

QUIET PLACE • 2022 • oil on canvas • 24x24"

ORANGES • 2022 • oil on canvas • 24x24"

RIVER WITH TREES • 2022 • oil on canvas • 20x40"

SUMMER RIVER • 2022 • oil on canvas • 30x50"

FALL SONG • 2021 • oil on canvas • 26x26"

cyclescapes

"Cyclescapes" are images that blossomed out of cycling excursions. Being enveloped in movement and sliding through dabbled light are part of the poetry of being on a bicycle. Whether solo or with friends, you are engaged as an actor in your own cinematographic experience."

SOLO ROLL • 2024 • oil on canvas • 18x18"

ON THE PARKWAY • 2024 • oil on canvas • 12x16"

SHADED TRAILS • 2024 • oil on canvas • 20x16"

EVENING RIDE • 2024 • oil on PAPER • 9.5x13.5"

ROAD RIDE • 2021 • oil on canvas • 24x24"

new work 2024

Art Access Gallery
Drexel Ave, Columbus, Ohio
June 2024

This was a dual show with Judy Friday at Art Access Gallery.
My paintings in "New Work" highlighted a combination of paintings in encaustic, acrylic and oils. The process of melting the encaustic surface typically involves torching the panel in a controlled manner to create and image that is gentle, yet untamed. I continue to experiment with different patterns, i.e. grids, carving and burning the panels themselves. Some are dark masses that possess strong and solemn moments. There are silent and singular shapes that are the focal points - suggestions of natural disasters and melancholy.
Using old books and text, I layered patterns and messages within the paintings.
In contrast, I continued to explore the abstraction of landscapes and found excitement in these light filled and flowing shapes. I intend to carry this concept further into my encaustic explorations.

Buna x bicycles

Buna x Bicycles
McArthur Ave, District of Columbia
2024

I am excited to share my work with fellow cyclists in DC! These are reflections of the landscapes along our rides.

SHADED TRAILS • 20x16" • oil on canvas • 2024

manifest gallery

Manifest Gallery
Cincinnati, Ohio
2022

My work was selected to show in the Wilderness exhibit of the Five Themes Project at the Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati. ADRIFT was motivated by my observations on Google Earth of the movement of the polar ice cap and the widening of the Northwest Passages. Now and again my curiosity led me to check in, and since 2014 I noticed significant changes in the landscape. This moved me to produce this piece.
I begin my process by creating textured papers from recycled material and maps. I dropped wet pulp into organic shapes and allowed them to dry. Using the surface of wooden panels, I arranged the paper to emulate masses of land and sea. I cook an encaustic medium from beeswax, damar and pigment, the fuse it to the panel with a torch.
I repurposed paper maps by tearing them apart and suggesting a shift in the crosshairs of human existence - in which we are all at some point pulled off course. I reclaim, rip, melt and fuse materials to evoke a sense of motion and discord. Using this medium is fluid and impermanent; heat moves the pigment and shifts the paper. The process reflects nature in that is is raw and unpredictable, mimicking the fragility of the earth in a changing climate.

ADRIFT • 52x52 • encaustic

materials matter 2022

Art Access Gallery
Drexel Ave, Columbus, Ohio
July 2022

This was a group show that I participated in at Art Access Gallery in Bexley, Ohio.
My paintings in "Materials Matter" highlighted encaustic pieces utilizing collage and burnt surfaces as details throughout. The process of melting the encaustic surface typically involves torching the panel in a controlled manner to create and image that is gentle, yet untamed. But this time I wanted to drive the energy of the torch into something with more conviction. These shapes are dark, reductive masses that possess strong and solemn moments. The silent and singular shapes are the focal points of these pieces - a suggestion of the memories and frustrations of those separated and left standing alone after natural disasters, war, grief and disease.
Using old books and maps, I assembled patterns and messages within the paintings.

state auto insurance headquarters

State Auto Headquarters
E Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
2021

I was commissioned by State Auto & WSA Designers|Architects to complete a painting for their newly designed headquarters. It is displayed in the main lobby atrium on the first floor. This image shows the painting mounted behind the edgelit glass. I was thrilled to work on this for them.

RESILENCE & REVIVAL • 72x104 • acrylic on canvas