Karan Bush

Karabella Studio, Camano Island, Washington

Fine Art in Watercolor & Oil

Biography

Karan Bush was born in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, a navy base on the Atlantic coast.  Being a part of a military family, she moved frequently during her early years, finally settling in the Pacific Northwest at the age of five.  She is currently a resident of beautiful Camano Island, Washington where she lives with her husband, Steve, of 37 years, two dogs, Mona & Lisa, and two cats, Oscar the Grouch and Gizmo. 

Art was always her favorite subject in school.  However, her art interests were interrupted soon after graduating from high school as she began a lengthy career (30 years) in telephony and raised two sons.

Following her retirement, she returned to art and studied classical drawing and oil painting with the late Patricia Raab of Anacortes, Washington.  Raab, who studied with Ron Lucas, followed the Russian Impressionist tradition in oil painting.  This impressionistic legacy was passed down from Ilya Repin (1844-1930) to Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955).  In addition, Raab taught the solvent free method of oil painting, minimizing hazardous chemical exposure to the artist.  Raab emphasized color relationship theory and application.  Bush later studied with Irina Kirienko Milton of Mukilteo, Washington.  Milton stressed composition, light and color.  Bush's work included Still Life, Landscape and Portraits. 

Bush continued to expand her training and studied watercolor painting with Michele Cooper and Helen Lueken.  Cooper and Lueken both taught a broad array of techniques in the application of the watercolor medium.  Bush's experiences included Still Life and Landscapes.  She now takes workshops to continue to broaden her painting skills.

In addition to her art, Bush is an avid gardener and many of her flowers find their way into her paintings along with the wildlife that visit her garden.  She comments "Capturing beauty in nature is my passion.  I love gardening and painting and so naturally, I bring them together in my art."  É

Email:  karan@karanbush.com    |     Phone:  425.293.4594