Karen Ann Myers

Despite sexual images being used constantly on billboards, television and in magazines, sex is a taboo subject in this culture. Rarely talked about in school or in public discourse, artist Karen Ann Myers uses her canvas to bring the subject out into the open.

The message her paintings convey is that sex is a beautiful and complex aspect of human behavior. Her interest lies in the psychology of women and the scenery in which they live. The bedrooms in which her new paintings take place do not actually exist. The bed frame will be taken from a catalog online, the subject from one of Myers photographs, the sheets, an imaginary pattern created. And recently, Myers has incorporated detailed wallpaper designs into her artwork.

Inspired by contemporary painters such as Mickalene Thomas and Kehinde Wiley, Myers creates textile works of art. If you look closely at "Come Here Boy" and "Perfect Fit," you'll see more than a bold and intricate design. Myers says her new body of work is "bigger, more decorative, sexier and confrontational."

The work and the woman

Paintings can act as mirrors, allowing us to project our personal experience onto the canvas. Her provocative paintings are a way for her to express the way she feels as a young, beautiful, blond woman in modern culture.

"When I began painting, I focused mostly on self-portraiture. For the last 10 years, I have completed a large-scale self-portrait every year. These self-portraits are my version of a written diary. I paint for documentation; capturing not just the world around me, but also within me. Each of my paintings is an opportunity to better understand myself through my past, present and future experiences and relationships with paint. My paintings are motivated by what it is like to be a specific gender and a specific age in contemporary culture, often juxtaposed with experiences from the past," Myers said about the subject matter of her work.

Myers started a painting portfolio as early as 16 with the support of her high school art teacher. In college, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Art in art education and studio art at Michigan State University.

She concentrated on painting and graphic design and then earned her Master of Fine Art in painting from Boston University. While at the University of London, Myers focused on women's studies, effectively combining all of her education into her current body of work.

Myers moved here two years ago to become the executive director of Redux Art Studios. Monday through Friday, she dedicates her life to Redux. Friday after work, Myers transitions into studio time and works late hours. Saturday and Sunday are devoted to painting. With the help of copious amounts of caffeine, Myers maintains a 40-plus hour work week at Redux and a 40-hour three-day weekend in the studio. Myers thinks time management is crucial for any artist who wants to produce consistently.

Her hard work has paid off.

See the art

"In Her Bedroom," Myers' solo show, is opening 5-8 p.m. Friday at Scoop Studios. She also is presenting work in the "Women Painting Women" show at Robert Lange Studios, also opening 5-8 p.m. Friday.

"In Her Bedroom" will feature Myers new body of work -- five large oil paintings will cover the walls of Scoop Studios. The show will run until the end of November.

Saramel Evans, co-owner of Scoop Studios with Colleen Deihl, represents Myers and is preparing for the opening reception.

"Karen's work represents the elegant nature of sexuality without promoting eroticism. It's sexual, but it's not sexy. I'm exited to see how her patterns create the details that make you feel like your looking into a room, or the room could be looking at you," Evans said.

"In my newest body of work, I am exploring what it means to be a woman in today's society. While my solitary female figures are strong and confident in their sexuality, these paintings also offer a glimpse into the confusion and doubt felt by women in their moments alone. In this way, my paintings serve as psychological self-portraits," said Myers. "Each one is a reflection of feelings and experiences that I myself have gone through, and each is a projection of the progression of my moods and emotions while painting them. Through this projection and reflection of myself in my paintings, each work has a strong link with self-portraiture."

Tina Christophillis is a well-known local artist that has chosen Redux as her studio space for the past two years. Christophillis teaches intuitive drawing and painting classes at Redux.

"Myers is amazing at leading the organization in a positive direction," Christophillis said. "She is making the studio grow and done a good job making all the artists feel welcome, creating a community of creative people.

"Artistically, Karen has a unique, powerful voice. As a woman, I like to see strong female painters in the contemporary art world. She is pushing the boundary with her work. Her skill, technique and background combined with her personalized direction gives her strong position in the contemporary scene."

The 'cult of beauty'

In the very little free time that she has, Myers is an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston in the arts management department. Her goal is to have a solo exhibition in New York City in five years. She wants to be published in New American Paintings and have gallery representation in different areas of the country as well as an exhibition catalog produced of her work.

She recently exhibited her paintings in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Boston. Myers' work is provocative and sophisticated. Her bold colors, model positions and fantasy scenes give the viewer a glimpse into the young artist's mind.

"I am also interested in infusing these paintings with a true emphasis on sex and glamour inspired by the cult of beauty in contemporary mass media, and exploring how this world affects my central female figures. The duality of these three dimensional human forms and their flat, intricately patterned surroundings is a juxtaposition that I enjoy emphasizing in my paintings. By highlighting the dualities of confident but confused women and flat but somewhat three-dimensional compositions, I strive to present a personal yet universal depiction of the world of women," Myers said.