About Me
Karen ‘Kay’ Fontenot is a Lake Charles, Louisiana native who attended McNeese and moved to Houston in 1991. She worked with Johnson & Wurzer P.C. for eight years until she transferred to Cabot Oil and Gas. There, she received numerous promotions that led to a career as a Geoscience Technician. She found her passion in 2010, when she began oil painting under the tutelage of Houston artist Candy Tangney. She says that working with her classmates and Tangney helped her cultivate her own style which focuses on proportions and a very liberal use of color.
Welcome!
Welcome and thank you so much for visiting my site! Below is a preview of my work. Most pieces that are sold are available as Giclee prints (quality inks containing pigment printed on 100% Cotton Rag for a durability of 70-100 years) or as Canvas Prints (a copy of the original on stretched canvas ready to hang).
The blue button will take you to my Etsy Shop. Prints ordered from Etsy shop are hand-signed by me.
I also have a shop on Fine Art America at the following link: https://pixels.com/profiles/2-karen-fontenot/shop
Feel free to contact me for any item of interest that you have questions about; or if you have a special request! Commissions welcome.
Previous Work
‘Frankie at Hobe Sound’ is a happy and fun work that captures the spirit of a family friend.
The ocean is one of my favorite places on earth to be. I imagine that the footprints along the shore are mine along with friends. Seascapes also provide a great exercise in the many shades of blue and green. *Prints available in multiple sizes. Contact me to order!
Sassoferrato’s “Madonna and Child” is one of the most beautiful images I’d seen in a long time. Despite my teacher’s advising the high degree of difficulty, I insisted on attempting a rendering. After a long time and too many “start-overs” to mention, this is the result.
This is my rendering of The Gabriel Panel of Titian’s polyptych of The Resurrection.
“Red Christmas 2” is a companion piece to “Red Christmas”. *Prints Available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
My rendering of Paul Mooney’s “The Divine Infant” speaks not only to my favorite Subject, but to my love of babies also.
“Poppies” is one of my earliest pieces. A favorite, it was my first exercise in shading technique. *Prints available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
“Red Christmas” is a nod to Christmases past, rich with deep red hues that evoke memories of Christmas Carols, cookie baking, gift wrapping and Christmas Eve candlelight services. *Prints available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
“The Tree of Life” stands in the Garden under radiant heavenly Light in this very special piece. *Prints available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
“The Hidden Heart”, completed in 2012 for Mik’s Hidden Hearts Alliance for Dysautonomia
This oil on canvas is one that combines some soft colors in a way that brings a soothing effect to the space. I call it “Yellow Roses”. *Original and prints available!
This oil on canvas was completed after many corrections and start-overs, yet was a great exercise in a number of techniques. Original sold but *Prints available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
“Bounty” is a vibrant heavy oil on canvas that took a full summer to complete! It is a favorite of mine and is another in the first trio to show in exhibit! *Prints available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
Blue Forest is a nice companion piece to Yellow Roses.
‘Spring Afternoon’ is a mixed media collage I completed back around 2013-2015. It was great fun to do and it is much lovelier in person. *Prints available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
I have four magnolia trees in my yard. This acrylic on canvas is a tribute to the enduring beauty of the famed Southern Magnolia! *Prints available in size of your choosing.
I call this one “Sea Master”. I worked on it during a period of uncertainty in 2018 as a reminder that I am not in charge.
I painted “Arizona Sunset” from a photo a cousin of mine captured on a drive home one evening. *Prints available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
“Sophie” is a depiction of a beloved family pet! *Prints available in size of your choosing.
One of my earliest pieces, I titled this one “self portrait”. *Prints available in size of your choosing. Contact me to order!
Florals have been the most challenging subjects for me over the years. It is in the last year that I’ve become very comfortable painting them.
“The Grandkids” is the only piece of a whimsical sort to date, yet it captures well the characters of four unique children. *Prints available. Contact me to order!
‘The Dancers’ is one of my favorite pieces! It has the happy distinction of being one of the first pieces of mine to show in gallery! *Prints available in size of your choosing.
Current Work
Put on your fanciest hat and your brightest Sunday best! Will you stand out from all the rest? Easter Parade is a joyous and colorful tribute to the day of all days! 20×24 inch oil on canvas.
Sky Riders is my rendering of a dream I had in which I was lying atop the middle cliff watching the sunrise on the glorious surroundings. My toughest effort to date but well worth it. 20×24 inch oil on canvas.
This piece reminds me of The New Orleans French Quarter or someplace in the French Countryside. A good book, some tea and biscuits and we’re all set! SOLD Prints Available
As demand for Menorah and other Judaic works increased, I was inspired to create another 7 Lamp Menorah except this time, a petit one with finer craftsmanship. 8×10 Oil on Canvas
Ice Rink is a striking mixed media piece that will compliment, indeed highlight, any unique space! 16×20 acrylic, oil and gold leaf.
The Blue Room is a flavorful depiction of a contemporary art-deco style room of blue. Heavy oil on linen.
Think Pink is a very sweet piece I did for a very excited family in anticipation of their baby daughter’s soon arrival! SOLD
My rendering of ‘Montalto’ (Tall Mountain), named by Thomas Jefferson. It is situated on the grounds of his Monticello Estate and makes quite a stunning picture.
I took a photo as I walked this path approaching the entry gate to the Annie DuPont Garden at James Madison’s Montpelier Estate in Orange, Virginia.
Though continuously moving in the same direction, surely the swiftest part of the stream (the current) is the most powerful to behold!
Picking seashells is a classic impressionist work using heavy oil on 6×8 inch canvas panel . Timeless! SOLD
This is my rendering of the imperial crown of England. Using a fair amount of artistic liberty, this work was begun shortly after the crowning of King Charles III. Mixed media. Size is 6×8 inch.
‘La Vie En Rose’ is a delightful oil on linen with vibrant reds and pinks with gold against a background of muted green hues. Size is 12×16.
‘Crossing The Red Sea’ is my rendition of renowned Israeli artist Gitty Fuchs’ great work ‘Splitting The Sea’. This 12×16 mixed media on canvas is a tribute of that immortal event as well as a reminder that with our God, NO THING impossible!
‘Tree Planted By The River’ was originally created between 2010 and 2013 and had a home on my study wall for many years. Then, as the trees were in bloom in early spring 2022, I decided this tree also needed sprucing up! The addition of darker browns, denser greens to the back, deeper roots and, of course, many more leaves…it now looks like a worthy evergreen tree planted by the river! Reference Psalm 1. Prints and accessories available in my store.
‘Garden Party’ is a lively 8×10 oil on linen. Fitting for any room but especially nice is a girl’s nursery. Find this piece in my store.
‘Menorah’ commemorates the great festival Chanukah and the eight days of miraculous Light! It is 16×20 canvas on board and is framed.
This 10×20 oil on linen is styled specially to showcase a lively array of unique colors such as may appear in one’s dreams!
‘Greenhouse’ was originally red roses done with pallet knife that I painted over. The red color underneath enhances the greens, yellows, browns and whites of the new as well as adds great texture to the work! Original is 8×10. Giclee prints available in your choice of size.
This 11×14 oil on linen was created for a spot in a dining room against a navy wall with gold accents. It fits the location very well with its very vibrant colors! Giclee prints available in multiple sizes
This piece was inspired when I read in Isaiah 61 that I have not only a garment of salvation but also a ‘robe of righteousness’! A royal robe seemed most fitting.
This piece was done by request of a mother who wanted a rendering of the flowers her son had given her for Valentine’s day! She desired a white background, providing a great exercise in maximizing white on white technique. SOLD. Prints available
In tribute to my wonderful home state and our beloved home team, New Orleans Saints, is Hommage a la Louisiana! 12×16 Acrylic on Canvas board
The Pool House is a work I did from a photograph of a relative’s backyard pool house! I have a number of favorites, and this one definitely ranks in the top 5. What a delightful backyard area! SOLD Prints available!
Am Yisrael Chai (The People of Israel Live) is a tribute to the the Land of Israel and her wonderful people. Indeed, despite all hardship and persecution, Israel Lives! 8×10 Oil on Canvas
Park After Dark is a corresponding work to Ice Rink; depicting the same park but after dark with different persons present. This texturized acrylic and oil on 20×24 inch canvas is available!
This work was fun to paint; a nod to the iconic fragrance and brand! Specs: 9×12 inch acrylic on canvas board
Dusty Rose is a 24×36 inch combination of soft earthy hues and hints of gold that make it truly a sight of beauty to behold! A clear favorite.
I love sunsets and this one is rather dramatic. The waters are pretty choppy too; yet instead of calling it ‘Troubled Waters’, I’ve named it ‘Deep Water Horizon’. My fellows in the oil industry will recognize the catchy title!
The view inside the entry gate of the garden filled me with awe! Not having seen such beauty, I began to weep. I thought this must be what Heaven looks like!
Ever flowing, moving and keeping the rhythm of life is ‘River’. This 8×10 oil on linen is a reminder of the river of life inside all of us in Christ.
Black backgrounds can make many pieces really pop and bright colored flowers surely fit here! This 6×8 inch acrylic on heavy paper includes mat for framing.
‘Family Reunion’ was completed spring 2021. It is a stunning piece depicting a family gathering in a serene and desirable location. Logging more than 150 hours to complete, this heavy oil on canvas is my favorite work to date! SOLD . Prints available!
‘Sunburst’ makes her debut today! This acrylic work on 12×16 canvas salutes summer in the brightest way possible.
‘Water Lilies’ is an 8×10 oil on linen work with pallet knife. SOLD. Prints Available
‘Candy Storm’ is one of the few abstracts that I’ve done. I sure do like it. The bright ‘candy’ colors make a very nice piece that will fit right in to almost any space! 11x14x.75 inch acrylic on canvas. SOLD
‘Sunset Road’ has become a favorite! This whimsical tree lined blue street leading into the sunset is 36x36x1.5 inches of happy! Prints available
The beautiful 7 Branch Menorah; first crafted by Moses out of a single piece of solid gold at God’s Instruction back in Exodus 25, remains to today as one of the most recognizable Holy Symbols in the world. SOLD
‘Yellow Callas’ is a lovely oil on canvas made more vivid against the purple/navy blend background. SOLD
‘The Lighthouse’ is a work done by special request of a lover of lighthouses. Oil on linen. SOLD
‘The Great Hall’ was inspired by a photograph I saw but, upon seeing it, my nephew exclaimed that it looks like the girl with the royal robe’s house! I have to agree. It makes a nice accompanying piece. She has a lovely house and yard!
This is the original work for the client before I realized she wanted a white background. It’s nice to have completed both to compare the looks! Original available. Oil on cotton.
This floral is my rendering of a portion of a special arrangement given to me after my first Gallery Talk! The piece does not give proper justice to the very beautiful, large arrangement; but it is a special reminder to accompany the photos that I took. I call it ‘Good Job’!
‘Jade in Winter’ is a delightful portrait of Jade, a high fan of winter, who is excited for the first opportunity of the season to wear her favorite yellow sweater and matching hat! SOLD
‘On The Town’ is a recently completed oil on 8×10 canvas that evokes memories of grand scale black-tie events and occasions that are not soon forgotten.
I began this piece reluctantly because I don’t do many abstracts. As a result, I had a tough time knowing when it was done. Then around Easter, the gold leaf was just right and at that point, the name came to me right away! 24x24x.75 oil, acrylic and gold leaf.
‘Dance Class’ features soft colors for a calm and soothing effect (almost like watercolor). Perfect for girls’ bedrooms! 9×12 oil on cotton.
‘Cleo’ is an exotic natural beauty with a good measure of mystique! Eyes filled with intrigue, she’s a stunner and a conversation-starting piece.
‘Sunset’ is one piece in a category of a ‘value series’ of original works painted on 140 lb cold pressed cotton canvas sheets that require backing before framing. In this piece, I’ve included the mat. SOLD! *Prints available!
‘Young Gymnast’ is another in the value series. Striking and cute as a button, this piece is framed within 6×9 inches of the 9×12 inch cotton canvas; providing built-in mat making for easier framing options. SOLD