Karyn Raz recalls working in her mother’s art studio as a girl. “I have a strong memory of her helping me sculpt the digestive system for the fifth grade science fair, which included Cap’n Crunch Berries glued into the esophagus in a meticulous pattern.” On family vacations, Raz would make color pencil renderings of Elle models and watch her mom work on her art. “She made it seem fun and relaxing.” As an adult, Raz seeks that same feeling of joy and childlike exploration in her art. Her gouache and acrylic paintings have been commissioned for galleries, magazines, advertisements, and invitations, and recognized by the Society of Illustrators of New York and Los Angeles.

Raz was born in Los Angeles, and is a graduate of Brown University and Art Center College of Design. She lives and works in Santa Monica.

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EXHIBITIONS  
2009
 
"Raz Raz Raz 2: Mother of All Shows," Artists Union Gallery, May 9 - June 14
 
2008
"Skip the Mall," Black Maria Gallery
"Raz, Raz, Raz" Ojai Art Center
"Icons, Legends & Notorious Figures", Cactus Gallery
"Power in Numbers", Nucleus Gallery
"50th Annual: Sequential Category", Museum of Illustration
"Girls Show", Ghettogloss Gallery
2006-2007
"Zine Show ", Junc Gallery
"Holiday Group Show", Wax Poetic Gallery
 
"The Love Show ", Hangar1018
 
"The Unicorn Show ", Nucleus Gallery
 
"Society of Illustrators Los Angeles ", Billy Shire Fine Arts
"Benefit for Neighborhood Nursery School", Barnsdall Gallery Theater    
"Innocence of Sexuality", Black Maria Gallery
   
2005
   
The Girl Show", Nucleus Gallery
"Black Market", Black Maria Gallery
   
"Society of Illustrators Los Angeles", Froden Gallery
   
"Melt in Your Mouth", Secret Rose
   
"All Girls Show ", Ghettogloss Gallery
     
EDUCATION    
Art Center College of Design, BFA Illustration with honors, 2005
Brown University, BA Art and Semiotics, 1998
 
HONORS
Los Angeles Society of Illustrators 43, 44, 46

New York Society of Illustrators 50

SCBWI Don Freeman Memorial Grant-in-Aid Honorable Mention, 2008
Art Center College of Design Merit Scholarship, 2003-2005
CLIENTS/PUBLICATIONS include    

Adidas, DOT Magazine, Fishwrap Magazine, Genkosha Magazine, Hadassah Magazine, Mazon, Vans, Zeek

     
 
AFFILIATIONS
Board Member, Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, Membership Chair, 2009
Committee Member, SCBWI Los Angeles Illustrator's Day 2008
 
Member, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
 
SPEAKING    
"Pricing Session" at Gallery Nucleus, sponsored by Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, November, 2008
   
TEACHING
New Roads School, 2006-present
Windward School, 2005-2006
 
PRESS
The Factory, April 2, 2009: "Celebrating the Wonderful World of Illustration"
Kitetales, Fall 2008: "Illustrator's Gallery: Karyn Raz's Art Evokes Joy, Childlike Wonder"
Society of Illustrators Los Angeles Blog: Member Spotlight and Raz Raz Raz, August 2008
Ojai Valley News: "Viva La Raz," August 2008