Karen Vournakis works in the 19th century tradition of the hand-painted photograph taken to an entirely new Post-Modernist level of subtlety in form and color. She combines mixed media and photographic art. "I studied print-making and painting prior to becoming interested in photography. My art is a blend of all three areas of interest.  The images I create are fine quality gelatin silver prints processed archivally in my studio. I've developed a unique technique of layering oil, aquamarine wax crayons and pencils directly on the print. Color is used as a special element within the images. By using color theory, I can create the illusion of objects receding or moving forward in space."

A winner of numerous awards and grants, Karen received her MFA from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and taught photography at Syracuse University, Colgate University and Dartmouth College. Her unique images hang in permanent collections in such venues as Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris), Everson Museum of Art (Syracuse) Fidelity Management and Research (Boston and London), and the Greek Embassy (Washington, D. C.). To see more of Karen's work, visit her website at www.karenvournakis.com

Please click any of the paintings for a  larger  image