Karen Wheeler, or "WHEELER" as we commonly holler to her, did not legally change her last name when she found out she would be using a powered wheelchair for the rest of her life. She was actually born with a form of Muscular Dystrophy known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Karen has been drawing since the age of five. She was one of the more fortunate disabled students who received encouragement and direction toward the arts because she impressed adults around her with her natural skills. Her propensity for reaching her highest goals has earned the highest grade point average in her class of 4.0 when she received her Master's degree in Arts with emphasis in Illustration, from California State University in Fullerton.

It certainly was not an easy accomplishment, not just because some instructors were not very supportive, but also because Karen had to overcome the limitations she continues to deal with in order to produce a piece of art.

In the photo above, Karen is pictured working on her piece "Dances With Wolverines", which she recently sold for a record price! (Here is another version of the same piece after Gabby Hirsch interpreted it) Note how small a brush she uses to paint in watercolors. Due to lack of muscular strength, Karen has to attach her wrist to an elastic band so she can get a wider range of motion. It takes Karen 80 to 120 hours to produce a piece of art using a glazing technique or a "layering technique" as she calls it.

Her painting procedure begins usually with a title that interests her and then she envisions the painting completed in her head. She then acquires visual references from her massive library of animal resources. First she takes every picture that may only have a small piece of useful information. Once all resources have been collected, she cancels-out pieces that do not match the vision she has formulated in her mind. The resources that are left will be used for color, composition, placement of subject and details until the entire painting is finished. The completed image is usually very close, if not better than her original mental picture. By the way, keep an eye out for her signature rose that she tends to hide in her artwork!

From 1985 to 1992, Karen was the only disabled artist on the Board of Directors of Very Special Arts California, a non-profit organization dedicated to integrating mentally and physically challenged adults and children into society via the arts. She not only coordinated and participated in major state-wide exhibits and programs but also held the position of Vice President for 1 1/2 terms. She is still on the Honorary Board. Karen was elected Disabled Professional Woman of the Year by the Pilot Club of Southeast Los Angeles in 1990.

Karen now resides in Henderson, Nevada and currently has work in five galleries. Her greeting cards are being sold in 18 different locations throughout the West Coast, and she has collectors who live all over the world, a list which includes Julian Lennon, Phil Collins, Shadoe Stevens, Joan Rivers, and Steven Seagal. Other organizations Karen likes to involve herself with are, The Nevada Water Color Society, and The Vegas Artists Guild. She has taught beginning watercolor and given private lessons, and she is always thinking about and looking ahead to that next painting and art show.

Please click on a link for further information on Karen Wheeler.