About painter and teacher Karen Lynn Ingalls

I am a working artist and California credentialed teacher who lives in Calistoga, California, in the Napa Valley.

Karen Lynn Ingalls, with "Dusk in the Vineyards" in process

My artwork, including paintings, drawings, collages, and life-sized painted sculptures, has been exhibited and can be found in collections on both west and east coasts of the United States, and a few places in between, too.

Karen Lynn Ingalls in the studio, working on "Sunset Meadow" • photo © Karen Lynn Ingalls

I am mostly known for my brilliantly colored landscape paintings of rural California, which you can see at www.KarenLynnIngalls.com. 

Karen Lynn Ingalls, painting "Knights Valley Autumn" in the studio. • photo © Nathan Ingalls

Originally a painter and drawer of people, I began painting endangered landscapes — places threatened by development — as I worked with others to save a sensitive wetlands area near Monterey Bay. I loved painting landscapes so much, and loved the impact of the work I and my fellow painters had, that I continue painting them to this day.

Karen Lynn Ingalls with her painted sculptures "You Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog" and "Woodstock's Summer of Love," at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California.

Karen As a Teacher

I have taught art classes and workshops in a variety of subjects to adults and children. 

Karen Lynn Ingalls, giving a demonstration during a workshop

I taught for Napa Valley College Community Education, and currently teach art classes and workshops for adults and mature teens at the Calistoga Art Center, as well as private, group, and corporate workshops. 

Karen Lynn Ingalls, guest artist at Boys & Girls Club • photo © Sharolyn Townsend

I am frequently described by my students as enthusiastic, inspiring, encouraging, and nonjudgmental. 

Rather than telling you what to do, I prefer to give you the skills, tools, and techniques that will help you make better paintings, and then use questions to help you discover how to apply them in your painting.

My long-time students are fond of saying, "She's always right!" when it comes to knowing how to create a better, stronger painting. 

Fauve portrait of Karen Lynn Ingalls, by Dayana, after lesson on making things with the colors you want, not necessarily the colors you see. ©Dayana

I am particularly good at teaching both those skills and the inner game of art – how to tap into your creativity and tame your inner critic – essential know-how in order to develop as a creative person.

I am developing a series of online art instruction courses for adults. Please contact me to find out more! You can also find my Napa Valley art workshops online at: www.NapaValleyArtWorkshops.com

Do you want to learn 
more about the inner game of art? 

Coming soon... a little book from Karen with tips on taming the judgmental voice inside you that gets in the way of your creative process.