about karly mortensen

I'm a practicing visual artist, independent creative enrichment and wellness instructor, and Denver-based studio owner. 

I've worked with thousands of students, helping them discover, understand, and implement greater flow and ease in their lives through creative self study and art making.

I began my teaching practice in 2002, developing process-based art making lessons centered on open-ended intentional outcome and mindfulness practices for kindergartners and one neurodivergent preschooler.

My focus is on sustainable, lifelong creative depth and agency, and the ways that this is supported in human consciousness through neuroscience.

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what have I been doing for twenty years?

some things I do now...

I developed Art Smart Creative, a virtual studio of art + mindfulness classes and resources for families and people to use at home or wherever they happen to be.

visit Art Smart Creative

I offer self-paced virtual Fostering Creativity + Mindfulness Training to classroom educators for professional development in their practice. Certificates are issued for two clock hours. Consultation available.

montessori

emergent ece

I support curriculum and program development so that classroom educators in small schools can provide art enrichment for their students using mindfulness and creativity.

 I have an online shop featuring
handwoven seed bead pieces + other meditative studio items
​You can shop my boutique here.     My work is bright, colorful and evocative of the everyday joys in the small things. Abstract patterning, palette and texture merge together to evoke themes of natural landscape, human interaction with environment, syncretic history, and the relationship of those themes with the lightweight whimsy of floral and psychedelic consciousness. I am influenced by my Eastern European heritage combined with my childhood in South Dakota, and I work very carefully to honor this art through a contemporary and informed approach to designing.

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I provide DEI training to organizational teams about empathy, inclusivity and creative visibility while developing strategies to avoid burn out as individuals and teams. You can learn more here!

 I am building wellness resources so that people can access their self actualization in new and creative ways. Grow with that here!

If there's one thing I believe after all these years, it's this:
Through a series of gentle step by step creative exercises,
all people can step fully into their creative selves.
Creativity is a birthright, and we all deserve vehicles for self expression.
That's why my practice is based in inclusive, accessible and adaptable lessons
that center mindfulness and creativity in the art making process.

contact me

sign up for the studio newsletter ​ here

​I have taught in art studios, workshops, event spaces, all varieties of schools, community centers, churches, specialty groups and clubs, private and small group lessons, team and corporate events, families and private parties, from as few as a single student to as large as hundreds of corporate employees.
​And of course - virtually.

My very first student - and so, so many since - had neurodivergent skill sets that finally found a space to flourish in art, showing me the spark of creativity that exists beyond language, and on a spectrum of abilities and skills. 

It is with a heart of service that I created my studio to inclusively and accessibly support all people on their quest for creative self discovery.

I provide professional references + CV for schools and organizations upon request.