Karen Loftus

2022 MSAA Art Showcase Entrants

View this month’s Artist of the Month

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Karen Loftus – Salem, OR

In 2013, I was diagnosed with RMS, and disabled out of work in 2016. After not painting for decades, in 2017 I began again. In 2019, a relapse left me partially paralyzed in multiple areas, and starting over. I also have Brown-Séquard syndrome at C6-C7 cervical.

I have physical therapy every week and taught myself to do everything with my left hand since I lost use of the right digits. This includes writing, painting, knitting – as well as personal items every MSer deals with. I can walk unassisted in the home, I can drive. I’ve come so far, and improve every day!

The three paintings represent before the relapse, the months after the relapse (2019-2020), and now. All different mediums, hands and techniques. Different places on my journey with MS. Like those viewpoints on the highway: stop and look how Karen was doing then, and just look at her now!

Between the Two Places

Start Over

Dave. Will be ok. Trust me.