Karyn paints much of the time on location outdoors, where she is inspired by the changing qualities of light and atmosphere in the landscape. Karyn grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. She taught art in the Albemarle County School system after earning her bachelor of fine arts at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, and a master of education at the University of Virginia. She continues her studies today with various artists. Karyn lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Statement
“Inspired by the dramatic, ever changing qualities of light and atmosphere, mass and line, my paintings attempt to interpret environments as encounter and recollection rather than fact. The challenge I give myself is to paint a scene or image that stirs the other senses. I strive to paint the feel of the atmosphere, a breeze through an opened shutter, the scent of sunlight warming a space as its brilliance enters a darkened interior. Stirring the imagination of what once was, unexpected elegance of a long abandoned parlor. Impressions that haunt subject matter materialize as a memory on canvas.”

Affiliations
McGuffey Art Center | Studio Member

Education
BFA  | Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
MEd  | University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Painting Travels
Perugia, Italy
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Kalymnos Island, Greece
Montecastello de Vibio, Italy
Todi, Italy
Seravezza, Italy

Philanthropy
In recognition of the importance and benefits of the arts, Karyn Gunther Smith is helping to provide opportunities for others to pursue their artistic passions:
Charlottesville Area Community Foundation | Charlottesville, Virginia
Art and the Environment | Children’s Programs | James Madison University | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Art Scholarships | VCU School of the Arts