“Every piece is one-of-a kind and has its own story,” says Karen. “As I search for and find the elements for my work, I love to imagine where they originated and had been before. I wonder how and when they were used, and by whom. It’s amazing to discover ways they can be put together for new purpose.”

Fascinated by relationships between texture, pattern, color, light, and motion, Karen draws upon the imagery she observes in nature to express work that ranges from simple and straight-forward to wildly complex and deeply emotional. Incorporating photography, collage, and assemblage, my work typically combines commonly used items and unusual found objects with fabrics, pigments and other materials to create mixed-media wall art, sculpture, and jewelry.

Most of the materials I use are recycled. As I search for and find elements for my work, I try to imagine where and what they had been before. I wonder about their origin, how and when they were used, and by whom. Creating each piece is like a journey—it’s a process of discovery every step of the way.

Fascinated by relationships of color, texture, pattern and light, I love the spontaneity and immediacy of the methods I use. I’m always amazed at how they can transform old into new, usual into unusual, and ordinary into extraordinary.
I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by creative energy all my life. When I was a kid, our house had an art room instead of a play room. My parents, and many friends and neighbors were accomplished artists who taught me how to look at the world through a creative lens. My focus in college was art, and my professional career has always centered on creative endeavors.

Now, wherever I am or whatever the occasion, I can usually find something that I want to incorporate into my work. It doesn’t matter if it’s a pile of rusty junk lying along the side of the road, or paint peeling off the side of a barn—the possibilities are endless.

I try to integrate creativity in all facets of life, and to inspire others to do the same. In addition to my own work, I have experience leading numerous creativity workshops for adults and am a certified Artist Way at Work facilitator.