Kara Manza is an Austin, Texas portrait artist and contemporary impressionistic painter known for transforming everyday moments into expressive art. Through vibrant color, layered texture, and energetic brushwork, her work celebrates connection, memory, movement and the beauty found in ordinary life. 

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Working primarily in acrylic, Kara creates custom portrait paintings, figurative artwork, landscapes, and contemporary mixed media pieces for collectors across the country. Her paintings often combine impressionistic realism with expressive mark making, collage, and modern color pallets to create artwork that feels both emotional and timeless. 

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Although creativity has always been part of her life, Kara began pursuing painting professionally later in life after years devoted to raising a family. What began as a personal creative journey quickly evolved into a thriving artistic career fueled by a deep love of storytelling through paint. 

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Kara has studied with nationally recognized artists including Carol Marine, Robin Cheers, Melanie Morris, Kara Bullock and Jane French. Her work has been featured in Times Square, Artist Closeup Magazine, Tarrytown Neighbors, Stroll Austin, Art Direct, Art Space Austin juried exhibitions, and galleries and collections throughout the United States.

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She is currently creating her "100 Faces Project," a large-scale portrait series celebrating the beauty, individuality, and shared humanity found in everyday people and personal stories. The collection will debut in a public exhibition in Austin, Texas in March 2027. 

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Kara and her husband Bob recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. They have two daughters and cherish their growing role as grandparents, a season of life that continues to inspire much of her work. 

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Kara works from studios in Austin, Texas and the Greater Boston area, serving collectors throughout Texas and New England. 

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Whether painting a beloved family member, treasured pet, meaningful landscape, or fleeting everyday moment, Kara's goal remains the same: to create artwork that becomes part of someone's story for years to come.