On Display from May 3, 2024
Marcia Chaves, a native of Fredericksburg and longtime resident of Stafford County, has spent decades observing the changing urban and rural scenes of her hometown. Her paintings offer images with a backstory rooted in the local history of the Falmouth Bottom where she's lived for over 50 years.
From early childhood, she's done art - wood sculpture, drawing, watercolor, and now oil on canvas. She finds inspiration from a myriad of sources, most often life at the water’s edge, at home on the Rappahannock, her perennial garden nurtured for 50 years on the banks of Falls Run, the rugged coast of Maine at Acadia, or the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks.
Each image reflects a challenge to communicate a message of a meaningful moment in time conveyed in light, color and texture.
Karen Julihn brings an abstract touch to her art, whether through painting or mixed media assemblages.
"I aim to fuse inspiration with imagination, highlighting it with vibrant colors," she explains. With over fifteen years of showcasing her work at FCCA and Art First locally and gaining acclaim at art shows in Fredericksburg, VA, and King George, VA, Karen continues to captivate art enthusiasts with her unique approach.
At retirement, Karen turned her interests to pursuing art studies: taking workshops and courses at Germanna and VCU which allowed her to grow as an artist. She resides in Stafford, VA with her husband Larry and continues to experiment with new media.