Rising Stars: Meet Karen Thompson of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Thompson.

Hi karen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born in Atlanta Ga to parents who both appreciated the arts and culture here. Later they became artists themselves. They encouraged me to create and always supported my artistic inclinations.
After raising two boys I completed design school and began a career in kitchen and bath design. About 9 years ago I decided to start my own business painting and teaching private art classes. During Covidian Years this became an online class and I expanded into teaching severely physically challenged young adults online with Next Step Ministries, Inc. later I began teaching monthly at Decatur Christian Towers. We have created a nice creative senior community there and have had several ongoing projects to encourage vitality in aging.
I’ve taught art classes at The Friendship Center in Grant Park, Art Beacon (coming up!) Resiliency Workshops, GMHCN in Tucker and many private groups
I’ve traveled to Portugal, Southern France and Venice to study art with different schools. I have learned so much studying with The Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing.

This year I became a Certified Peer Specialist for Mental Health with Ga Mental Health Consumer Network. This has opened up a whole new world for me of people in recovery. It’s given me the opportunity to speak in groups about my lifelong recovery from Codependency and Depression and how art is a tool for understanding myself better and expressing myself.
Teaching this process has become a passion for me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well because the pandemic came a year after I decided to start my business there were those struggles.
Finding the right people can be challenging but moving to Decatur was a smooth move as there is such a big artist community here.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have painted my way through life! Being creative is a tool for resetting my nervous system and helping me to focus and live in the moment. I love teaching Neurographic Art, Zen Doodle, Soulful Collage, and mask making
I feature powerful women in much of my art because through history women were not the focus of paintings. I want to leave a legacy that women are powerful.
In the past three years I joined the Jungian Society of Atlanta and have been involved in an International Dream Study group. Part of the process of recalling my dreams has been to paint them. I had a private art show at the Kirkwood Library last year called “She Carries her Dreams” featuring many of my dream paintings. Some of my paintings were exhibited in the 2025 International Dream Conference.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That there are no mistakes. You never lose! You only win or learn a lesson. Both are wins. Everything I’ve learned about art applies to my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Breathingunderwaterart.com
• Instagram: @karenharmony2021
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17hBRpnwLx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/Vdl5_iJN9I0