HARLINGEN – For Karen Lara, art is relaxation. It helps her take the focus off the craziness that goes in life and the world. “It helps with PTSD,” the former Navy photographer says. “It occupies my mind so I am not dwelling on stuff. That is how I use it.”
HARLINGEN – For Karen Lara, art is relaxation.
It helps her take the focus off the craziness that goes in life and the world.
“It helps with PTSD,” the former Navy photographer says. “It occupies my mind so I am not dwelling on stuff. That is how I use it.”
Now, she is trying to help her fellow veterans the same way as a VA Peer specialist.
She’s been trying to get them to try different art forms, including photography. She even had them do a little sewing. That didn’t go over as well as the photography and other art.
“So many of the guys, they say, they aren’t artists,” she says. “They don’t know, they have never done art. I have challenged them to take photos and a few I have convinced. I talk to them about doing something artis-tic like write short stories, take photos with a camera or cell phone. Those are opportunities to take the mind off of the horrors of life.”
Originally from Alice, Karen has resided in Harlingen for the past six years, after living in several different parts of the country during her Navy service, which included being a photographer, career counselor and drug and alcohol interventionist.
No matter what she did during her career, for much of her life, art has been part of it, too.
Since her retirement from the Navy in 1996, Karen has added more art to her life as well as education.
She works in many different artistic mediums, including jewelry, precious metals and painting, among others. When she was young, she made her clothes after her aunts and mother taught her and her sisters how to sew.
But, photography is still her favorite, even if she isn’t sure she quite has the eye.
“A lot of people say they love my work, but I don’t see that,” she says. Occasionally, I will shoot something that I really like. But, I never really thought I had it. I enjoy it though.”
She admits her daughter and granddaughter have the photography gift.
“I really like the studio work,” she says.
Lara admits she spent hours in the studio playing with lights to create the perfect shot.
She also enjoys black and white photography and taking photos of cemeteries, abandoned buildings and dead trees.
A lover of school and learning, she also went back to school to receive her bachelor’s degree in May 2000 and three years later, received her masters.
She now uses those degrees in social work and human services at the VA.
“I try to incorporate art into my life,” she says.
She has one goal in her art.
Karen wants to earn a first place in the VA’s Creative Art competition. She already has a second in Black and White Print. But, that doesn’t mean she won’t continue to encourage people competing against her.
“When I see work I really like, I tell people they need to enter the competition,” she says. “That’s a good thing. I like to encourage people to try new things and if you make something beautiful, you should share it.”
If You Go:
WHAT: Veterans Day art reception
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Harlingen Art Forum, 115 E. Jackson
WHY: To see beautiful art created by local veterans, including Harlingen’s Karen Lara
HOW: It’s free and there will be refreshments served
WHAT: Veterans Day art reception
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Harlingen Art Forum, 115 E. Jackson
WHY: To see beautiful art created by local veterans, including Harlingen’s Karen Lara
HOW: It’s free and there will be refreshments served
