Today we’d like to introduce you to Karli Henneman.
Hi Karli, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Idaho and spent most of my teenage years working in fashion in Japan. At 18, I began my formal art education at Parsons (The New School for Design) in Paris, later transferring my studies to the New York campus (receiving my Bachelors of Fine Art Degree). After graduating from Parsons, I spent several months in Rwanda teaching self identity art workshops to children. This experience later inspired my graduate studies at NYU in art therapy. While living in New York, I met my husband Lyle Owerko (who is also an artist/photographer). After many inspiring years in NYC, we decided to move west and spent several years in San Francisco where our son Mason was born. When Mason was three months old we made the transition down to Los Angeles. Making LA home was at first a slow and abstract process, but now I can’t imagine our family anywhere else.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The experience of making art has always been a constant in my life. When I’m not creating, I feel out of balance. I find the more attachment I have to how my art will be received, the more tension/frustration I feel . Initially, the definition of “success” I created for my art career felt like a “dangling carrot” that I was never able to grasp. My new intention as an artist is to just create. and share. I am not making work to fit in with a certain group of people. I am creating art I love that inspires me. I faced a lot of rejection working in the fashion industry at a young age, which toughened my skin. Yet, criticism of my art is still a sensitivity. My art feels like the purest refection of “me”. Even more than how I look.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an abstract painter. In an ode to mid-century-modern design, my recent subject matter explores simple forms in balanced abstract compositions. My work is fresh approach to geometric abstraction inspired by muted color palettes from the late 1960s.
The minimalist vocabulary of shapes and subdue palettes are composed atop a thick textured background adding a sculptural effect to the two-dimensional works.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Choosing to be an artist as a profession is a risk-taking act on its own. Many factors beyond your control are at play, and the ability to financially support yourself through art is often a journey of luck. It is easy to be in my studio creating work, the real challenge is coming up with innovative ways to reach collectors. I continually try to get out of my comfort zone and be open to the unknown.
Pricing:
- $250-$8500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karli-henneman.com
- Instagram: @karlihenneman
Image Credits
All images are taken by me/and my husband – no photographer needs to be credited
