Karen Kurycki Makes Watercoloring Look Good.

Above is “Karen Knievel,” a self-painted Munny Doll by the amazing, talented, hilarious and high spirited Karen Kurycki.

Watercolor paintings: an indie band name, a dying art form (in my opinion), a cherished craft kindergartners bring home to hang proudly on the refrigerator, and, most importantly, one of the specialties of our newest featured artist, Karen Kurycki.

Watercolored by hand, by Karen, on paper, in real life. Karen’s work easily gives off a playful, yet serious, vibe (something that is becoming increasingly more scarce in the present commercial design world, where so much graphic design has become about simple typography and realistic-looking computer graphics). Work like Karen’s is rare, but when you do come across it, it’s as refreshing as stumbling upon an oasis after being stranded in a scorching desert.

Today, Karen is an award-winning senior art director and current team member of BroadBased Communications, marketing and advertising agency. There, she is a valuable asset to the firm, specializing in print design, illustration and brand development. Her commercial artwork often has an air of youthfulness, humor and experimentation; qualities that truly make her work unique. But, how did Karen Kurycki become who she is now? How did she adopt the style that she’s grown accustomed to today?

Watercolor paintings by Karen. “I incorporate humor into my illustrations [...] because humor is a HUGE part of my life. I like to say I’m never going to completely grow up…because growing up is for boring people. [...] life’s not worth living to me if I’m not laughing.”

The roots of Karen’s playful style as a graphic designer can be traced back to a little town named Churchville, located in upstate New York. This is where the first 18 years of Karen’s life were spent, playing softball, riding bikes, running, swimming and playing, and of course coloring with crayons, markers and any other art supplies she could get her hands on. Many of Karen’s fondest childhood memories involve her three siblings and parents (whom she says are “the best parents in the universe”) playing on the family’s five acre property. To this day, Karen remains extremely close to her family, they all stay in constant contact, making sure they know what’s happening in each others lives and e-mailing each other during the day. Karen’s close-knit family may not be the sole reason why she’s such an awesome graphic designer, but (and these are her words!) “I’m actually not sure what I’d do without them — they have made me who I am today.” Luckily for us, who she is today is a wonderfully, whimsically, humor-filled illustrator, who just so happens to do some pretty cool work.

Above is a View-Master illustrated by Karen. “My love for toys, especially vintage toys, still exists today and is very evident in my work. Anything that takes me back to my childhood, which is really only great memories, usually shows in my work sooner or later.”

Although much of Karen’s inspiration is drawn from her childhood, her true motivation and style did not begin to foster until she began her college career (which, in her words, she “ABSOLUTELY LOVED!”). Once at the University level, Karen, for the first time, truly began developing her own style. Karen went to college at Kent State University, which, fortunately for her, had a strong graphic design program, as well as a strong softball team, allowing her to delve deeper into two interests in her life. During her junior year, Karen met professor Jerry Kalback, who, according to her, opened her eyes to watercolor illustration as she sees it today. “He saw something in my art and he really pushed me to push myself to become better.” Then again, when you already have the talent, people can only push you to make yourself better, right? Definitely. Especially, when you are a designer who takes inspiration from everything around you. Karen herself is constantly inspired by many different designers every day. She is one of those people who will see other designers’ work and think “DAMN IT! Why didn’t I think of that?” But instead of being disappointed in herself, she uses that thought to open her mind up more and let the creativity flow out.

Now, it’s important to note that Karen isn’t just a graphic designer and illustrator. Since moving to Jacksonville, Florida about 6 years ago, Karen has been dutifully involved as Vice-President of the AIGA Jacksonville chapter working to help graphic designers, illustrators and artists by representing and promoting them in a positive way. With the support of a strong network like the AIGA, Karen is able to help initiate forums about important topics in the graphic design community. In essence, giving back to a community which has not only helped her develop a reputable career, but has been there for her, helping her grow both in terms of an artist and as a person.

Pair her position with the AIGA with her impeccable sense of humor and playfulness and it’s apparent that Karen is someone that you’d want to have designing for you. I mean, you’ve got to have a sense of humor to help illustrate a book entitled “Things Drunk People Say” (a collaboration with Ashley Hazen, available at Urban Outfitters), or to take something as simple an old-style, black and white alarm clock and turn it into a merciless, demonic waking machine. Humor definitely has a time and a place, and not all graphic design needs to involve aspects of light-heartedness, but Karen’s work does, and does appropriately, and that’s what makes it so great. Being able to look at someone’s design work and see that it is truly a manifestation of the designer (for Karen, a culmination of her playful childhood, engaging college years, and involvement with the design community) is something that can make you feel closer to their work. Making everything they create truly relatable to just about anyone.

Collaboration pieces that Karen and her friend Ashley Hazen worked on for “Things Drunk People Say.” The book contains snippets of drunk conversations illustrated by different artists.

If this article has interested you even slightly, Karen’s full line of work can be viewed at cmykaren.com. Whether or not you are interested in watercolor, I’m positive that when it comes to Karen Kurycki’s work, you will easily find something that you like.