Biography & Artist Statement

Alla Prima Lady, is the DBA of the diminutive dynamo, Karen Roncari. Karen, one of ten children, has always been drawn to art in one form or another. As a youngster, any clean surface was fair game to draw on. Her favorite day of the elementary school week was Friday - art class day. With no art in high school, she enrolled in a correspondence course where she expanded her interest. Karen saved the left over oil paint from Christmas paint-by-number gifts to create her own paintings long after the paint-by scenes had been completed and forgotten.

In her 20s, Karen joined two art clubs, and first entered work in an art show. She spent a lot of time with gallery people and other artists, drawing and painting paid models, honing her skills in figurative and portrait work. She worked as a colorist for several photo studios, which helped her with facial tones and shading. Every bit of

experience and advice, she received has served to mold her artistic persona.

Karen moved to Cadillac in 1975, and joined CAAA in 1986. After a few years away from the group,

she rejoined in 2008 when she retired and had more time to devote to the organization. Karen's three year term on the CAAA board is up, but she plans to remain active in our organization.

Karen's work is diverse in media and genre, but a recurring theme of the land and people of the southwest shows her abiding interest in American Indian history. She is comfortable with many art forms, but says that she prefers to work in two dimensions and with oil, acrylic, or pastel.

Karen attends most CAAA meetings and events, as well as the Tuesday Artists at the Senior Center. If you don't already know this interesting lady, talk to her the next time you see her. She is all about art!

Entry Form & Inventory List

name Karen Roncari
email allaprimalady@gmail.com
website allaprimalady.com