Even tucked in among the trees, Kara Shaw’s art studio is drenched in natural light. Wide windows open to the sky, illuminating the soft pinks and earthy golds she has swept over a canvas stretched upon the floor. In the cool, quiet air hangs the weighty scent of oil paint. But something else lingers: God is present here—in this studio, in Shaw’s bright eyes, in her reverence for the world outside her windows and her art that captures its spirit.
Raised in Spring, Texas, Shaw found early inspiration in her creative neighbors, sculptor Pablo Solomon and his wife, Beverly, who worked in fashion for Diane Von Fürstenberg. “My sister and I used to sneak into their garage attic and admire all of Pablo’s paintings,” she recalls. “For my 12th birthday, I asked my parents for a canvas and paint set. I was determined to learn.” Later, after taking studio art classes in college, she fell in love with oil painting.
Today, Shaw is known for her atmospheric, large-scale works that seem to glow from within. “I think my art is about capturing the essence of my faith,” she explains. “My goal is to create a visual experience of both spiritual mystery and beauty. Hopefully, I have created a moment, like experiencing the peace of a sunset or a calm from resting your eyes on glistening water.”
That focus on light and water infuses nearly every painting. Shaw frequently draws from nature, especially her own Driftwood backyard and the waters of Onion Creek. “If the creek is flowing, I will spend hours photographing the dance of water and light,” she says. “Maybe I catch a glimpse of a color palette, a texture, or the way the light moves. From there, I let my intuition guide me. I pray and allow the painting to evolve organically.”
Her work often blends realism with a touch of whimsy. Whether painting serene Hill Country landscapes, the movement of wildlife, or the golden hues of pristine waterways, “I'm drawn to unusual perspectives and compositions that evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity,” she says. “I’m attempting to capture the beauty of nature and the magic that happens when light interacts with the world around us.”
Color is central to that magic, and Shaw often experiments with pigments to create mood and atmosphere. “I’m fascinated by the way colors and light play off each other and the emotions they can evoke,” she shares. Beyond color, she adds dimension to her paintings through texture, building up layers of paint to create depth and movement. To achieve the desired effect, Shaw uses unexpected tools and materials—wax made from her own honeybees, silicone combs, gold leaf, even Q-tips—to help translate the natural world’s complexity onto the canvas.
Shaw’s artistic style has evolved with her own seasons of life. “Our work is like a visual life journal,” she explains. “As an artist, we attempt to capture the beauty while in love and the shadows while facing trials.” Some of her most cherished pieces are those of children leaping into creeks, moments she describes as “pure joy and freedom.”
Just as her family’s memories are intertwined with the land, Shaw’s art is deeply connected to Dripping Springs. She’s painted murals in local schools, built relationships in local art leagues, and draws lasting inspiration from Onion Creek, where her children played and swam. “The local community has a profound impact on my work,” she says. “The stunning beauty of the Hill Country and its wild waterways are my most passionate form of inspiration, and they are worth protecting.” Shaw donates a portion of every sale to conservation organizations like Protect Our Water and the Driftwood Historical Society, and she dreams of funding scholarships for young artists and environmental students.
When it comes to choosing art, Shaw encourages collectors to lead with feeling, not fashion. “If a painting moves you and makes you feel something, you will always love it, even when styles change,” she says. “Sometimes a work of art is made just for you … you will know the moment you see it.”
Shaw’s world—surrounding her studio and covering her canvas—hums with the energy of the earth her family helped clear, the trees her children once climbed, and the quiet presence of those who came before her. Grounded in the soil and stirred by the creek waters, she strives to honor their spirit and share the essence of their Creator with each stroke of her paintbrush.
KaraShaw.com | @karajshaw