Karl Bostwick
A dedicated oil painter for over 35 years, I hold a BFA from Georgia Southern University and have refined my craft under contemporary masters like Quang Ho and Ned Mueller. My work is an ongoing study of the landscape, recently informed by extensive painting expeditions across Japan, Hawaii, and Red Rock Canyon. Recent accolades include First Place and “Best Use of Color” at Plein Air Abingdon, as well as “Best Use of Light” at the Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival. I value the freedom to capture the fleeting essence of each unique environment.
Biography
A dedicated plein-air and studio oil painter for over 35 years, Karl holds a BFA from Georgia Southern University. His work is a relentless pursuit of light and atmosphere, heavily influenced by his time spent in California studying the works of early 20th-century masters like Edgar Payne. This foundation in the California Impressionist tradition informs his “combat mindset”—a strategic readiness to capture the fleeting magic of the untamed landscape. Recently, Karl has completed extensive painting expeditions in Japan, Hawaii, and the American West.
Recent Awards & Accolades
First Place, Plein Air Abingdon (2025)
Best Use of Color (Honorable Mention), Plein Air Abingdon (2025)
Best Use of Light (Honorable Mention), Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival (2025)
Juried Artist, North Carolina Plein Air Festival (2026)
Painting Expeditions
Japan: Three-week intensive study of light and landscape (2025)
Hawaii: Two-week coastal and atmospheric study (2025)
Red Rock Canyon, Nevada: High-desert geological and light study (2025)
Professional Development
Plein Air Convention & Expo: Five-time attendee (Monterey, CA; Tucson, AZ; and Cherokee, NC)
Advanced Workshops: Quang Ho, Ned Mueller, Kim English, Kevin Macpherson, Thomas Jefferson Kitts, Camille Przewodek, and many others.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Georgia Southern University
Associate of Arts, Young Harris College
Exhibitions & Collections
Over the past three decades, Karl has participated in numerous corporate shows, art festivals, and gallery events nationwide. His work is held in many prestigious private collections, reflecting a career-long commitment to the tradition of painting outdoors.
Artist Statement
Nature is my greatest teacher, offering a complex design of light that scatters, bounces, and unifies the landscape like notes in a musical key. Before I touch the canvas, I stop and listen. I ask myself: What am I experiencing in this moment? By approaching each scene with open-minded curiosity, I ensure I don’t just paint a location, but the feeling of being present within it. I must hear the story before I can tell it. Last year, I was honored to win First Place at the Abingdon Plein Air Festival.