Selected
Conundrums
Digital Paintings by
Karen Embree Reynolds
​Featured Artist, July 2023

​

Two Control Freaks in a Rowboat

​

Repair or Replace

Nearly every day something comes up, upsetting our sense of “normal,” things that are puzzling, perplexing, or seem to be riddles.  In July, the Artists’ Co-op of Mendocino featured the digital paintings of Karen Embree Reynolds that will tease your brain with her [carefully] “Selected Conundrums.”  Visualize “Two Control Freaks in a Rowboat.” Consider an American flag tattered in the wind as a metaphor for the issue of do we “Repair or Replace?” Is a “Stalemate” ever a good thing? Although known for her wry sense of humor, you will find some serious elements woven into the visual context of the series. The conundrums in this exhibit are drawn from recognizable predicaments in the home and community. Several might remind you of personal situations that have left you in an LOL quandary. An auxiliary display of “Conundrums Solved” contributes solutions for balance or to reinstate hope.
        Karen Reynolds has been an active member of the Co-op for 12 years. She serves as the co-op webmaster, co-chair of the annual Ekphrasis event, and a monitor for our public relations. Her former career as science educator influences her art. She has a continued special interest in the integration of visual art, new technology, and science.
This online exhibition of digital art will be accessible for an extended period of time. The original digital paintings are 8"x10" or 11"x14." Some images might be added or changed occasionally. They will be marked. Please use the contact form at the end for feedback.

KER
​

Checkmate

A Chorus of Seniors

Notes:
Two Control Freaks ... and the boat goes nowhere.
There is an actual sporting event in which competitors see who can row to the their end of a swimming pool -- a bit like tug-o-war.
Repair or Replace, a metaphor or more.
Is Checkmate good or bad? What's an example outside the game of chess?
A Chorus of Seniors typically has an unbalanced ratio of female to male voices.  Have you noticed?

Bear School

Clash of the Casanovas

Soooo Close....

Inch by Inch, Row by Row

Elephant in the [Board] Room

​

Notes:
Bear School, a Mendocino coast institution.
Clash of the Casanovas. Why are they doing battle?
Sooo Close.  ​Did you see the snail's message?
Elephants. How do you deal with them?
Inch by Inch, Row by Row  With a nod to the "Garden Song," which you can hear on YouTube.

Conundrums Solved

On Zoom

The Spoons

True Love at Last

EEEEEEK !

Stand UP!

Notes:
On Zoom compared to our surroundings ... life online is theatre!
The Spoons.  What is another conundrum that is central to  a story we like for its moral value?
True Love at Last!  Yes, get a pet that adores you.
EEEEEK !  is a "pseudo-conundrum," with entertainment as the solution.
Stand UP! as in "Save yourself!" The diver struggling in rough, but shallow, water has only to stand up conserve energy.

​Feedback would be great:
Which conundrum(s) do you like best?
Do you have a conundrum of your own to share?
Do you like short theme-based exhibitions like this?
​Other....