Pacific Northwest artist Karen O’Brien uses dynamic layers of acrylic and pastel to create vibrant expressive abstract works on paper, panel and canvas. While serving 27 years as an Army Physician, she turned to painting as she sought to develop resilience and healing within herself and those with whom she worked. Her works have been exhibited in numerous national exhibitions to include the Pastel Society of America’s Enduring Brilliance Exhibition and has won awards in Pastel Journal’s Annual Pastel 100 Competition. Her influences include Willem de Kooning, Claude Monet and J.M.W. Turner.