Artist Karen McFadyen, a Chicago native, moved to North Florida in 1966 where she first exhibited her fine art works in regional exhibits while developing her skills through home study courses and work shops. Through the 1970's she worked as an illustrator for businesses in Gainesville, Florida and as an illustrator for the IFAS department of the University of Florida while continuing to show paintings in regional exhibits and in the Artisans Guild Gallery. The 1980's brought a move to the Ozark mountains of Arkansas where the artist was to concentrate on landscape paintings as well as her figurative and still life paintings. Her award winning works were seen in exhibits in Memphis, New Orleans, Missouri and Arkansas before she returned to North Florida in 1992. The artist opened her Studio/Gallery on Centre Street in historic Fernandina Beach in April of 1993 where she worked on her paintings and taught drawing and painting for twelve years. Karen has received many awards for her paintings and was recently honored by Volunteer Jacksonville for her contribution to the arts in our area. Karen works in all media but considers oil painting her favorite and most challenging. A realist or figurative painter, she continues to study and develop her skills by attending drawing and painting workshops. Karen is an exhibiting member of the Island Art Association and has served on the Association's board of directors and as Gallery Director and President. The artist is also a life member of the St. Augustine Art Association and a Patron Member of the Portrait Society of America. Her recent works can be seen in galleries on Amelia Island and by appointment in her home studio in Fernandina Beach and by viewing Artists of Amelia (ArtistsofAmelia.com) Karen hopes that people will enjoy seeing her paintings and see that they are her response to the beauty that is life.