A Painter's Paradise

Karen Tarlton doesn’t recall exactly when she picked up her first paint brush. She can’t remember not painting. Tarlton says she always loved art and won contests at an early age. She feels fortunate to be living in “a painter’s paradise,” having realized her dream of making a living as an artist in San Diego, California.

Success didn’t come overnight for Tarlton. Her dreams of studying art in college were put on hold, when her parents insisted, she couldn’t make a profession out of painting. Instead, she earned a sensible degree in economics and teaching. Marriage and family soon followed. As a military spouse who relocated often, teaching was a challenging career to maintain, with licensing requirements differing from state to state.

Tarlton decided to pick up her paintbrush again and enrolled in some art classes. She began painting furniture and wall murals to further her career in between studying. When she saw one instructor who used a palette knife technique, she knew that was what she wanted to do. The teacher asked her what her goal was as an artist, and she boldly replied,

“I’d like to do one painting a day that I could sell, in order to make a living as an artist.”

The instructor chuckled and wished her good luck at the lofty goal she had set for herself. Despite the skepticism she encountered, she was determined to make it. She continued to study under the best painters, specializing in impressionism and showed her appreciation of nature through art.

A military wife who was always on the move, she had the world as her canvas, allowing her to create a versatile collection; including many scenes from Italy’s picturesque coastal towns.

Lake Como Italy Twilight painting palette knife fine art impressionism by Karen Tarlton Etsy 018i.jpg

Once she perfected the palette knife painting technique, she set up a gallery on ebay. Her daughter who was twelve at the time, designed her website. Auction parties were the norm back then, and her paintings were selling faster than she could finish them.

“I remember the first time the bidding went up to a thousand dollars for one of my paintings. I couldn’t believe it.” Tarlton says she’s found success beyond her wildest dreams.

Now she’s on Etsy, regularly does commissioned pieces and has huge clients, including Wayfair. COVID actually increased her art sales, due to more online buyers. Tarlton could easily raise her prices. For now, she won’t, because she wants to keep her collection affordable to everyone.

Clients are drawn to the depth of her collection, which includes everything from landscapes to angels. She says her favorite subject is, “whatever I’m painting at the moment.” Although she misses traveling, with San Diego as her home base, there’s an abundance of natural beauty around to inspire her. Tarlton’s works have become collectible, hanging in galleries around the world. She hasn’t forgotten how many brush strokes it took to find success.

Which is why she finds such joy in seeing others appreciate her art. Tarlton has also helped shape the careers of some young painters, who have made a splash in the digital art scene. She says her advice to any aspiring artist is,

“Never give up on your dreams. Things might not happen in the order you planned. Be patient and work hard.”

If you have a passion for art, keep painting a picture of paradise on your canvas, and eventually you’ll get there. According to Tarlton, the view is worth the wait.