About



Karen Cade
Western & Wildlife Artist

Karen has been a professional artist for over 35 years having studied under master instructors in college.  Karen’s love and ability to convey the emotion of her western and wildlife paintings has earned her artistic awards and regional acclaim

As a distinguished wildlife and western painter whose artistic repertoire includes oils, pastels, inks, and mixed media. Through her art, she strives to capture the essence of nature, creating a reflection of her personal vision—a vision that is deeply inspired by the serene yet raw landscapes and the majestic creatures that inhabit them. Her works explore the symbiotic relationship between the natural world and the rugged spirit of the American West, inviting viewers to share in her appreciation of nature's beauty.

EDUCATION

  • Masters in Information Systems
  • Fine art and Illustration, Cal State Fullerton
  • Graphic Design Associate of Arts, graduated with honors, Cerritos Jr. College

Membership

  • Associate Member of Women Artists of the West (WAOW), 2025 - present

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Freelance Artist, Owner, October 1983 to present

 

  • Artwork can be seen in the June/July 2025 Southwest Art Magazine
  • Self-published artist selling original art and limited-edition prints through her website KMCade.com, as well as amazon, etsy and in person at art show events, 1990 – present.
  • Commission artist creating portraits and book covers, 2016 - present
  • Participating Artist at Art Expression Art Gallery, Custer South 2023 - present.
  • Quick Draw artist at the Black Hills Stock Show Western Artists, 2022 - present.
  • Participating Artist at Black Hills Stock Show Western Artist, 2024, 2025.
  • Program designer for the Longmont Choral, 2017 - present
  • Juried into the 2013 Catalina Fine Art Show
  • Selected by the Custer Stampede Buffalo Art Auction committee to paint life-size a fiberglass buffalo, 2006 - 2016 - ranked highest bid over all 4 times in a row - Owners include private art collectors, donated piece by private collector to the Custer Chamber of Commerce, and The Pony Express National Museum
  • Appointed judge for the Sagebrush 36th Annual Regional Art Exhibit, June 22 – July 19, 2007, Fort Morgan CO
  • Responsible for organizing and judging the annual Fort Lupton Fine art show and sell 2006 - 2010.
  • Received first place award in The Northern Colorado Artist Association All Member Show, 2005
  • Juried into Western and Wildlife fine art show in Estes Park, 1994 - 2002
  • Represented by Benson Fine Art Gallery, Fort Collins Colorado, 1996 - 2005
  • Received Third place award in The Northern Colorado Artist Association All Member Show, 1998
  • Represented by Wildlife and Wilderness Art Gallery, Estes Park Colorado, 1990 – 1994
  • Owner of American Sign company, specialized in custom signs and hand painted murals, 1989 – 1991
  • Juried into Greeley Stampede art show, 1990
  • Designed Logo for Fort Collins Hot Air Balloon Festival, 1988 - 1991