practicing artist since high school , Hegglin got the idea to teach when she painted with her grandchildren and their friends . After researching Early Childhood Education and Art Methods she launched Karen ’ s Art Zone in Morgan Hill in 2001 . Four years later she became a certified instructor of Monart — a teaching methodology founded and named for Mona Brookes that gives children structured information to improve visual perception and realistic drawing skills . She believes everyone can do art . Regardless of the perceived results , it ’ s whether they enjoy the journey . She enjoys her adult students , but the younger students are special to her .

“ It ’ s so fun seeing their delight and satisfaction ,” Hegglin said . “ They start out saying they can ’ t do it and when they ’ ve done it , they are so tickled .”

Hegglin was born in Berkeley while her father was a student at the University of California . Her family moved every few years as her father pursued teaching opportunities in various California cities including Newman , Castro Valley , and Gilroy before settling in Morgan Hill in 1959 , where he taught mathematics at Live Oak High School and coached football and wrestling .

Per Hegglin ’ s website , her love of art began at an early age when she ‘ was allowed to make mud pies .’ Loving to sketch , she recalled how her school assignments would be turned in with drawings in the margins . That love blossomed at Live Oak High School , during her father ’ s tenure , when she took as many art courses as she was allowed . She recalled her high school art instructor letting students do their own thing , encouraging experimentation and allowing collaborative work with classmates .

“ That ’ s when I was introduced to watercolors . I loved how the paint hit the wet paper and burst out where it wanted to go . To me it was magical .”

After high school Hegglin took art courses at Gavilan College before marrying a local ranch manager and raising three daughters .

Though slowed somewhat with the responsibilities of a family , she honed her watercolor skills over the years . She took lessons from renowned watercolor artist Mike Bailey and studied with local artist Diane Wallace , as well as nationally recognized watercolorists Mel Stabin , Tom Lynch , and Mary Whyte — one of her favorite artists along with French Impressionists Claude Monet and Pierre- Auguste Renoir .

After trying a variety of mediums , she settled on watercolor painting . She experimented with abstract art , but is most comfortable with a representational style . Her subjects are varied , including still lifes , landscapes and flowers .

She is especially fond of painting portraits , noting that every face tells a story . In 2016 , Hegglin did a portrait of Mayor Kouemon Ishiuka of Mizuho Machi , Morgan Hill ’ s sister city in Japan . The portrait was commissioned by Murv and Judy Little , while entertaining Mr . Ishiuka during his visit .

As a member of Valle de Sur Art Guild she has exhibited in the Guild ’ s various events and has held exhibits at various shows . An exhibit of works by her students will be on display at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center from April 1 to April 30 , 2017 .

To view a sampling of Karen Leso Hegglin ’ s art work and learn more about Karen ’ s Art Zone , check her website at karensartzone . com .

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH / APRIL 2017 gmhtoday . com

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