Karl Mullen

Born in the Dublin Mountains of Ireland in 1954, Mullen struggled as a student and left school early. He left Europe in 1976 and moved to America.

Before settling in Philadelphia he wandered the globe doing odd jobs and making art. With no formal training in art, Karl is now collected all over the world, embraced for his bold use of color and complicated layers: a result of hand-applying walnut oils, paint pigments, and wax. This process creates a rich, "inner" glow from which his subjects spring to life.

Inspired by Irish poetry and mythology, Mullen weaves a dynamic Dr. Seuss-like story of shape, texture, characters and whimsy. "I am as concerned with magic as I am with meaning. I still cling to the notion that art can mean something- that the individual can mean something." Also an accomplished musician, Karl has toured with the Karl Mullen Band and The Ploughman's Lunch.