Background
Vernon was born on June 11, 1948 in El Dorado, Arkansas, United States; the daughter of William John Vernon and Clara Mae Irby-Vernon.
Vernon was born on June 11, 1948 in El Dorado, Arkansas, United States; the daughter of William John Vernon and Clara Mae Irby-Vernon.
Vernon received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas in 1972.
Vernon was an art instructor and gallery director of Coconut Grove Gallery in Miami from 2002 to 2005. Also in 2002 she was appointed a chairman of Watermedia and held it for a year. Karen planned and organized an international trade show sponsored by Watercolor Art Society Houston.
She has worked in watercolor for over 50 years and her skill in this medium is demonstrated in each of her paintings which are a visual enchantment of color and light. Vernon is constantly seeking to interpret life around her and depicts her paintings in vibrant, often oversized images.
Vernon`s paintings are kept in museum collections in Europe and in the United States, as well as private and corportate collections, such as the Royal Family of Saudi, Delta Airlines, the Chateu de Vuilliens, the National PGA Headquarters, the Moody Gardens Resort Hotel and the Walt Disney Corporation.
She was one of 47 artists selected to participate in an exhibiton entitled "Sea to Shining Sea". Also Karen is the founder of Artist Changing Tomorrow, a fundraiser to maintain and sustain art education.
Vernon is a member of Texas Watercolor Society, Watercolor Art Society in Houston and Birmingham Watercolor Society.
Quotes from others about the person
"Karen Vernon is an artist whose paintings have been widely exhibited and collected throughout the United States and Canada for close to three decades. Her work emphasizes strong color and elegant design..."
"Vernon’s strong command of color contrast and remarkable control of detail lies at the base of her expressions of the love of nature and deepest human values."- Calvin Goodman
"The paintings by Karen Vernon are vibrant, intimate, and enticing…, a delight to view." - Dale Evers
On March 7, 1992 Karen Vernon married Kenneth John Muenzenmayer. Then she married Maynard Patrick Dugan. They have 3 children.
