“Blue Heron” by Karen Richards

Karen Richards’ art exhibit, “Bring Nature Home,” will be on display through May 1 at The Society of Bluffton Artists Gallery, 6 Church St. in Old Town Bluffton. 

Meet the artist during an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. April 6. These events are free and open to the public.

The exhibit is a reflection of her passion for preserving natural resources and protecting the ecosystem. Richards will donate 30% of the sales of her artwork to the Hilton Head Audubon Society and the South Coast Region of the Coastal Conservation League.

The exhibit features a collection of florals, birds and local landscapes. “As much a plant nerd as a painter, I’m either getting my hands soiled in the garden or covered in paint in my studio,” Richards said. “My preferred medium is acrylics. I am fascinated by the way colors blend and layer to create depth and energy in a painting. My style varies depending on my mood and the feeling I want to express for the subject.”

Originally from Long Island, New York, Richards has always appreciated the beauty of coastal marshes and beaches. 

She holds a degree in Horticulture, eventually designing and maintaining gardens in Southampton, NY.  Richards earned a degree in Fine Art at Long Island University and a Masters of Education at Stony Brook University. Art history classes introduced her to artists whose paintings continue to inspire, including Claude Monet, Edward Manet, and Odilon Redon.

“A few years ago I was fortunate to spend an entire week in a cottage half a mile from Monet’s home in Giverny with an artist friend,” Richards said. “We were even able to paint on the grounds of his home in the gardens and by the lily pond after museum hours! I’ve been painting flowers ever since.”

Within a few years her work could be found in private and corporate collections including her largest work – a three panel, 15’ x 4’ painting at Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty in Warwick, New York. 

Richards moved to Bluffton in 2021. Her current focus is on creating and selling collections of her work and donating to local environmentally conscious groups. 

The SOBA gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays. Visit www.sobagallery.com for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843-757-6586.