Sculptural and bold knife markings are trademarks of artist Kara Tripp’s work, which is often described as resembling mosaic or collage up close. A native Montanan, Kara’s colorful, contemporary spin on traditional western themes defines her signature style. Bison, sandhill cranes, foxes, and rural landscapes are among her favorite subjects.

“My shift to painting solely with a palette knife was born out of frustration,” says Tripp. The widening gap between my art ‘vision’ and my art ‘reality’ compelled me to rethink my process. The palette-knife approach liberated me from my fixation with minuscule details and, ultimately, resulted in the impressionistic style of my current work. The bands of color the knife pulls through to the surface add variation and energy I was unable to achieve with a brush.”

Kara is the owner/artist at TRIPP Studio in the Emerson Center For The Arts & Culture. Her artwork was chosen for the 2014 Sweet Pea poster, and she was awarded Best in Show three consecutive years at the Sweet Pea art exhibition. For more, visit www.KaraTrippArtist.com.