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My work blends realism with impressionistic nuances to capture texture, light and the spirit of nature, be it the African bush, American landscapes and farm animals or places of interest from my travels. My artistic journey commenced at a young age when I could barely hold a pencil. For years I illustrated my school and music books, experimenting with pencil, charcoal, calligraphy and pen and ink. Fast forward 20 years: I invested in a set of watercolours as they were the most affordable option available to me. During this time, prioritised my family and career, allowing me limited opportunities to paint. Now fast forward another 40 years. I have recently ventured into oil painting and found it to be an exhilarating experience. My passion for nature animals and the enchanting interplay of light on water continuously inspires me to paint and refine my skills.
Karen Richards is an oil paint artist, that was born in Klerksdorp, South Africa but is now based in Omaha, NE. Her subject matter is broad but is centered around her passion for animals and natural landscapes, which started as a child during her family camping trips among the African wildlife. Karen's first career was in general nursing, midwifery, and as an operating room nurse. After 12 years of nursing, she went back to school to learn the intricacies of Fashion Design and for 12 years had her own fashion design studio in Johannesburg.In 1997, Karen's husband was offered an exciting opportunity at Creighton University in Omaha, so the family moved across the ocean and have been here ever since. Due to her H4 visa status, Karen was unable to work, and so, she went back to university, completed a degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design, and stayed in the industry until retirement in 2021. Having not had any formal training in art, but drawing from personal experiences, Karen has developed her own unique style. The learning curve has been enjoyable and she hopes that her art evokes emotion and inspires people to embrace nature in all her glory.
Karen Cawood Richards
Address: 1311 South 94th Street
Omaha, NE. 68124
Telephone: (531) 721-1180
Email: richards5@cox.net
Born: Karen Cawood Frederiksen
August 2nd, 1956.
Klerksdorp, South Africa.
Undergraduate Education:
High School:
Convent of the Sacred Heart,
Klerksdorp, South Africa.
Matriculated 1973 with university entrance and
distinction.
College: B.G. Alexander College of Nursing
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Graduated 1977 as Registered Nurse and Midwife (with distinctions in Psychology, Sociology, Nursing Arts & Science)
.
Post Grad: Johannesburg Hospital (Teaching hospital for
University of Witwatersrand)
Operating Room Technique
Graduated 1979 (with distinction)
Music: Award from Royal School of Church Music while church organist and member of the choir.
Art: Water Colour Painting:
Paintings have been exhibited in:
New Artist’s Gallery, Carlton Centre, Johannesburg
Swanepoel’s Gallery, Eastgate Centre, Bedfordview
Medical Arts Exhibitions 1982, 1983, 1984 & 1985 at
The Total Gallery Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Member of the Calligraphic Society of South Africa
Text Book Contribution
Landscape Design
Theory & Application
(Thomson Publishers) 2008
A M Van Der Zanden PhD
S N Rodie LSLA
Karen Richards Contributing Artist
Further Qualifications:
Gordon Flack-Davison Academy of Design,
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Graduated 1987 as Fashion Designer.
University of Nebraska at Omaha and Lincoln,
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture with Landscape Design option.
Graduated May 2006.
Employment:
January, 1974 – July, 1977 Undergraduate nurse
July, 1977 – February 1978 Registered Nurse & Midwife
March 1978 – February 1979 Postgraduate Student Operating Room Technique
March 1979 – December 1985 Registered Nurse in the Operating Room
January 1986 – October 1997 Self-employed Fashion Designer
October 2002-May 2003 Teaching Assistant in Horticulture Department at UNO.
May 2006 – March 2007 Landscape Designer for Estate Gardeners in Elkhorn.
March 2007 – August 2008 Landscape Designer at Mulhalls’ Nursery
September 2008 – May 2010 Landscape Designer at Kinghorn Gardens
March 2012 – March 2021 Landscape Designer at
Mulhall’s Nursery.
Retired 2021
Emigration:
I re-located to the United States with my family in December 1997. I became a United States citizen in 2009.
Awards:
South African Medical Arts Society Award 1984
Top Student Designer Award GFD Academy 1986
House of Tanya Young Designer Award 1986
Finalist in South African National Wool Board Designer Competition 1987
Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List Spring 2002 UNO
Chancellor’s Academic List UNO Fall 2002
Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List Spring 2003 UNO
Dean’s List 2002-2003 Fall Quarter MCC
Dean’s List Spring 2004-2005 CASNR
Dean’s List Fall Semester 2005-2006 UNL
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 2003
Pi Alpha Xi Collegiate Honor Society in Horticulture Spring 2005.
Gamma Sigma Delta Certificate of Academic Achievement Spring 2005
ASHA Collegiate Scholars Award 2005
Undergraduate Achievement in Science UNL 2006
Evasco Memorial Scholarship 2005-2006
James & Anna Lemley Scholar 2005-2006
Sam & Martha McKelvie Scholar 2005-2006
Community Activities:
Member and Past President of the Friends Board of Make-A-Wish
Member of the Make-A-Wish Board
Founding member UNO Horticulture Club
Volunteer gardener at Swanson Elementary School
Volunteer gardener at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Humane Society volunteer
Volunteer in the Emergency Room at UNMC
Research Activities:
1. Compilation of internet and slide images for Power Point Presentations for teaching purposes (University of Nebraska at Omaha). (2002)
2. Growing and care of roses in the Midwest
K.C. Richards (awaiting publication). (2005)
3. Northern Great Plains Landscape Plant Database
Input of data (2005)
Horticultural Memberships:
Member of the American Rose Society
Member of the Omaha Rose Society
Member of the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha
Member and Past President of the Le Jardin Garden Club