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Born in 1937 in Albany, NY, USA


1993 - 1995, Tutorials in oil painting and frame-making, Robert Kulicke

1991 - 1992, Foundation Courses, Parsons School of Design

1984 - 1986, Drawing Anatomy, Art Students League

1955 - 1959, BA History of Art, Vassar College


"Why do I paint? I paint because it makes me happy. Even when painting is a struggle, it makes me feel at peace with myself. This question makes me smile because for so long it was. 'Why aren't I painting?' For years I would look out car or train windows and imagine how I would paint the passing scene. Then one day while I was commuting to my job in New York City, I bought a box of pastels and started using them in the car during long trips while my husband drove.

My inspiration comes from the natural environment. Light changing through the day and seasons, working its magic on trees, marsh, sky, and sea fascinates me. It creates colors, textures, mirages, shapes and patterns that obscure the demarcation between reality and illusion.

Before understanding the reasons why unspoiled vistas impelled me to paint them, my paint brush articulated what I could not find the words to say. Unspoiled horizons spawn peace and tranquility and nourish the soul."

Karen Nangle, November 1999


  • Solo Exhibitions
  • 2002: "Ossabaw Island", Ceres Gallery, New York, NY

  • 2002: "Fence", Ceres Gallery, New York, NY

  • 2001: "Fence", Ceres Gallery, New York, NY

  • 2000:
      - PaintingsDIRECT.com, "Featured Artist"

      - Chautauqua Center for the Visual Arts, Chautauqua, NY
  • 1999: "Reality and Illusion", John Tucker Fine Arts Gallery, Savannah, GA

  • 1998: "Low Country Visions", Hospice Savannah Gallery, Savannah, GA

  • Group Exhibitions
  • 2005-2006: Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University New Haven, CT

  • 2004-2006: New Haven City Wide Open Studios New Haven, CT

  • 2002: invitation Governor's Offices - The Capitol Atlanta, GA

  • 1998: Arts on the River Juried Fine Art Competition, Savannah, GA

  • 1995-1998: Light Waves Gallery, Savannah, GA

  • 1997: Arts on the River Juried Fine Art Competition, Savannah, GA

  • 1996: "Southern Exposure", Owens-Thomas Regional Art Gallery, Telfair Museum, Savannah, GA

  • Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

  • Hospice Savannah, Savannah, GA

  • Premium Coastal Beverage Company, Avon, MA

    • Selection of paintings from Karen Nangle

    Read the guestbook of Karen Nangle

    Sign the guestbook of Karen Nangle

  • Painting Fellowship, Ossabaw Island Foundation, Ossabaw Island, GA, 2002
  • Merit & Purchase Prizes, Arts on the River, Savannah, GA, 1998
  • First and Second Prizes for Oil Painting, University of Georgia Marine Extension Exhibitions, 1994 and 1995

    • Read what the press is saying about Karen Nangle

  • "It's Just Her Nature," Savannah Morning News. 1998
  • "Reality and Illusion: Paintings of Land, Sea and Sky," Creative Loafing. 1999