Kara Cress of Terre Haute is River City Art Association’s July Artist of the Month at the Vigo County Public Library.

Kara grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. She is a graduate of Prairie State College in Visual Communications and Eastern Illinois University in Graphic Design. As a graphic designer, Kara has designed continuously in the Wabash Valley for over 35 years, and has won several state and national awards.

After spending so much time in the structured graphic design world, Kara decided it was time to rekindle her original love of drawing and painting. “3 years ago I (we) converted a bedroom into a small studio and I’m trying to loosen up and find my style. I guess it’s, who do I want to be now that I’m grown-up?”

Kara is interested in all things creative, and is currently exploring abstract and “lots of color”. Many of her art pieces involve nature and florals. Much of her current work is done in watercolor and acrylic.

Kara is a new member of River City Art Association, but has had artwork in the Wabash Valley Juried Art Exhibition, Arts Illiana Small Art Show and TREES Inc. Photography.