The Californer - Chicago Photographer Karen I. Hirsch Pivots During Covid-19 Crisis

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From Documenting Real Life to Creating an "Image of the Day"

CHICAGO - Californer -- Award-winning editorial and commercial photographer Karen I. Hirsch turned on a dime from photographing a 10,000 person Bernie Sanders rally in Grant Park, Chicago to being quarantined due to the Coronavirus pandemic, home alone, posting an "Image of the Day,"

Hirsch began creating colorful graphic images to express her emotional state. These images, at first, combined photography and geometric shapes, illustrating anger and frustration. The images directly related to the Coronavirus and its effect on society. After the arrival of spring, the images became more hopeful, featuring abstract flowers and playful symmetrical forms.

Hirsch originally had expected to be posting her artwork each day for about two weeks. As of July 1st, the daily count is up to 100 images. Many social media viewers have commented on Hirsch's posts, saying that they uplift their spirit and that they look forward to seeing them. Cotton Stevenson, former creative director at FCB Advertising, commented, "I can't tell you enough how these images brighten up my days," Another advertising creative, John Toth, remarked, "Keep sharing your stuff. It inspires us all." Artist Patricia Stewart wrote, "Fabulous. I am having a great time looking at your new creations." People compared some of the images to works by Matisse, Peter Max and Roy Lichenstein. Viewers have expressed interest in seeing the pictures on a quilt or on a large canvas, or even in fashion attire.

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Hirsch is happy that her art can bring a smile to people and distract them from the sad events broadcast constantly on the news, and what they are experiencing in their own lives. She looks forward to the time when her "Image of the Day" will no longer be needed as an escape from unhappy events like the Covid-19 pandemic and violence in our society.

About Karen I. Hirsch

Karen I. Hirsch is an international award-winning photographer/visual artist based in Chicago. Her work has been published internationally including in "Communication Arts" and "Graphis" photo annuals and in "Architectural Digest." She has photographed such prominent personalities as Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, gold medal Olympians, Muhammed Ali, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno, Julie Andrews, Jennifer Hudson and Richard Branson. She has received grants from the City of Chicago and the Illinois Arts Council. In 2007, the government of China invited Hirsch to document the city of Rizhao.

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Hirsch's prints have been showcased in Chicago art galleries as well as in art centers in Fort Collins, CO, Palm Beach, FL and Los Angeles, CA. Her photography was included in the 20th Century Fox film, "Widows."

Hirsch's prints are found in private and corporate art collections.

http://www.karenihirsch.com
http//www.karenihirsch.com/visualart