Karl Orion is a multidisciplinary artist based in Denver, recognized for his richly detailed oil paintings that depict a cohesive fictional world. He studied painting at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has pursued a dual career as an artist and educator, teaching both independently and through the Art Students League of Denver since graduating.
Orion’s work primarily focuses on botanicals drawn from his imagined universe, where plants serve as metaphors for the human experience. His paintings explore nature’s enduring cycles of life and death, offering viewers a sense of refuge, solace, and calm. These botanical portraits and landscapes also function as vessels for deeper investigations into psychological states and social concerns, conveyed through a playful and allegorical visual language. Through his art, Orion invites viewers to consider the emotional connections between personal experiences and universal stories, crafting a visual narrative that is both intimate and expansive.
His paintings have been featured in juried and invitational exhibitions and art markets throughout Colorado, including a recent appearance at the SPRING/BREAK NYC Art Show. Orion continues to expand his artistic practice and influence through his teaching and exhibitions.
Messy Creatures
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2024
24” x 18”
Oil on panel
Tattered and Exalted
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2025
18” x 24”
Oil on panel
Aftermath
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2025
40” x 30”
Oil on panel
The Bloom that Followed
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2025
18” x 24”
Oil on panel
To the Ones Who Stayed Under p. 1
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2025
36” x 24”
Oil on panel
To the Ones Who Stayed Under p.2
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2025
36” x 24”
Oil on panel
What Can’t Be Held
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2025
24” x 18”
Oil on panel