AGAC 2023 Top 25 Finalist - Karen Steffano - Balancoire de Jardin Magique

Top 25 Finalist in the AGAC 2023

- Artist: Karen Steffano

- Name: Balancoire de Jardin Magique

- Size:  650 mm x 800 mm

- Medium: Oil on canvas

- Price: R13,000

- Unframed

Karen is a part-time South African Artist and she has been awarded as a Top 25 Finalist in the ARTi Gallery Art Competition 2023!  

About this piece: 

The title is French to honour Fragonard; it means Magical Garden Swing. Magical in reference to the animals in a fairylike garden. I chose the swing for its magical, fairyland quality with an incredible composition; full of movement, it draws the eye in and leads you around the painting perfectly. I was looking for a Rococo artwork in particular and have always loved The Swing. I was inspired by Franonard's artistic skill, working from his work has highlighted how talented he was.

About the Artist: 

My interest in art began at age eight. I started drawing horses initially after becoming obsessed with them. We can thank my friend Mandy, who took me to see her pony one day, after which I got hooked. 

Despite an early art teacher’s comment that I wasn't very good, I went on to receive the high school art prize two years later.

I graduated with a Fine Arts degree from Wits University in 1988, exhibiting work twice as a student—once in New Signatures and once in the Gertrude Posel gallery.

After graduating, I decided to pursue a different career, not picking up a brush for twenty years. I decided to go back to it and started painting nearly every day in my free time. I still have a full-time job, so my creations take a while to complete.

I mainly use oils. I have an interest in landscapes and quirky themes juxtaposing animals with unexpected settings. 

I have sold a number of paintings, though I don't actively market my work much. I have never had a solo exhibition or been represented by a gallery. 

I was recently a finalist in the Sasol New Signatures competition in June and had a painting exhibited at the Pretoria Art Museum.

I have a few goals with regard to art, most importantly, to get as good as I could possibly get. The other is to exhibit more, possibly one day having a solo show. 

I have a passion for painting, and working on my next piece every day is a source of joy and satisfaction.