Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Vanderpool-Haerle
Hi Karen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been an artist, exploring painting, sculpture, ceramics and other media before college and during. I have an MA in Medical Illustration from UTSWMC and have worked as a medical illustrator for many years.
I began painting in pastels during graduate school. I started with daily pastel paintings and eventually moved to oils. I predominantly paint contemporary landscapes but also enjoy exploring abstract painting. I am intrigued by color, light and shadow, and geometric relationships.
I began painting and sculpting in virtual reality in 2017 and began incorporating my virtual reality paintings into my traditional artwork. I am focused on creating and displaying traditional and immersive art in the mixed reality space, the space between the real world and the virtual world. Creating virtual reality artwork led me to creating virtual reality experiences to help with pain management and improving quality of life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many challenges in being an artist and illustrator. The biggest challenge is remaining true to myself. The world is quick to criticize artwork so creating art and showing it to the world requires a very thick skin. It is easy to fall into the trap of creating what the world wants rather than creating what comes from my own inspiration. It also takes many hours of practice to learn the skills to paint well. It requires trial and error, learning from talented instructors, and exploring media and techniques.
There are many difficulties in creating immersive art as well. Technology changes rapidly and the hardware used to create immersive art and experiences is expensive with a very short development cycle. One application I used to place my virtual art in the mixed reality space is no longer supported. There is always a need to find or develop new software and learn something new.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently spending most of my time painting contemporary landscapes and creating virtual reality experiences for enjoyment and potentially pain management use.
I am most proud of my continued painting practice in both oil, pastel, and virtual reality in a program called Openbrush (formerly Tiltbrush). Learning to paint in virtual reality requires many hours of self teaching and practice. The same applies to traditional art media.
The thing that sets me apart from others is creating art in both traditional mediums as well as immersive technology. I created the artwork for a virtual reality experience that went on the the Tribeca Film Festival for immersive media. I am currently working on several virtual reality experiences directed at the non- gaming market, potentially to help with pain management.
I continue to embrace traditional art as well as immersive technology. I am certified in virtual reality software programs such as Gravity Sketch and continue to explore new technologies.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t generally consider myself a big risk taker, but I think being a full time artist and creative in immersive technology involves a significant amount of risk. Art is one of the first things people stop buying in difficult financial times and creating art requires opening yourself to criticism on an ongoing basis. Working in technology requires adjusting to constant change and learning new things every day. It requires solving problems that no one has solved before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kvanderpoolart.com/
- Instagram: kvanderpoolart
- Facebook: karen vanderpool art
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-vanderpool-haerle/
- Youtube: @karenvanderpool646
- Other: @vrxrartist.bsky.social
