—
1 Part artist
1 parT NATUrALIST
1 alchemist
—
From my studio you can watch a fox romping through the woods while 100 feet away an osprey fishes among dolphins against the backdrop of storm clouds gathering over the Gulf.
I reimagine the spirit and mythical quality of these sublime experiences in my artwork. I aim to conjure that same “prickling of the skin” wonderment you feel in nature, but in your very own living room.
I create art not to replicate nature but to capture its essence, so that each piece bathes your home in magic.
ABOUT ME
I always dreamed that I would be an artist. From early coloring books to doodles all over my class notes, my hand sought to beautify whatever was within reach. Moving around as a child of a Naval aviator, I created collages for each fresh set of white walls, and my binders acted as my calling card, mixed media “masterpieces” that introduced me to my new classmates without ever opening my mouth. I didn’t take formal art courses until enrolling in darkroom photography sophomore year of high school. There, I fell further in love with the creative process and decided to go to school for art.
I pursued my BFA at Auburn University, concentrating in printmaking and painting. In my time at school I fell in love with traditional woodcut printmaking and oil painting. I was selected for juried shows and also organized several group exhibitions with my classmates.
After graduating in 2012, I “got practical” and took more traditional jobs as a decorator, art gallery manager, and then lastly, as a jewelry designer all the while practicing my art. Finally, in 2018, after many commissions and a few more local shows under my belt, I felt I was ready to dive full time into making art my livelihood and my own dreams a reality. In 2019 I had my first solo show, “Not So Tame,” at Rock Hard Design House. I’ve been in “Southern Living” and collaborated with the artisan leather company Rustico.
I live with my 5th grade sweetheart, Kenny Brown, on our miniature farm in Pensacola, Florida.
My day-to-day is a mixture of tending to/loving on our animals, attempting to keep the wilds of the Southern landscape from taking over the garden, and creating in the studio.
LIST OF ESSENTIALS
black leather boots
gilt frames
red lipstick
hardcover books
candles
sharp pruning shears
cocktails in crystal glasses
an overflowing cheese drawer
Want to work with me?
Are you an interior designer, blogger, or journalist?
I’m always looking to collaborate with like-minded individuals (more like soon-to-be friends). Please tell me briefly on how we can make something beautiful together!
CV
Kara Valentino Ffield
1990, San Diego, CA
Lives and works in Pensacola, FL
EDUCATION
2012 BFA Studio Art Auburn, AL
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2010 Fine Arts Juried Student Exhibition, Juror Sylvie Fortin, Editor-in-Chief, Art Papers, Biggin Gallery, Auburn, AL
2011 The Interconnected World, Hamden Gallery, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Fine Arts Juried Student Exhibition, Juror Dr. Peter Chametzky, Biggin Gallery, Auburn, AL
Let There Be Art!, The Columbus Museum, Columbus, GA
2012 Fine Arts Juried Student Exhibition, Juror Peter Plagens, Biggin Gallery, Auburn, AL
Coyotes that Cuddle, Baggage Depot Gallery, Opelika, AL
Grandiflora, Ardistry Salon, Auburn, AL
Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman: A Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper by Undergraduate Art Students, Juror Diane Edison, Jules Collins Smith Museum, Auburn, AL
Half Dozen, Biggin Gallery, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
2016 How Does Your Garden Grow, Juried, Artel Gallery, Pensacola., FL
2018 25th Anniversary Show, Artel Gallery, Pensacola, FL
INTERNATIONAL GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2011 International Response to Gulf Oil Disaster, California State University, Northridge, CA
SOLO EXHIBITONS
2019. Not So Tame, Rock Hard Design House, Pensacola, FL
REPRESENTATION
2014 – 2015 Mainline Art House, Pensacola, FL
PRESS
2015 Southern Living, A Weekend in Pensacola
2016 Ruby Wolf, Spotlight Artist