Friday, March 16, 2012

31/31: Karen Cole


31 artists...31 days. Spend every day of March with me at The Altered Page to meet the 31 spotlight artists in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. See their beautiful faces, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Pulse of Mixed Media.
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My artistic process is a bit like a journey without a map. Sometimes I make a wrong turn. Sometimes there's a gaper delay after an accident. I welcome them, as they help to shape the aesthetics and the meaning of the work.


 I look at every piece as an experiment, an exploration and also a collaboration between my artistic journey and the mixed media.


 I am going to continue this wandering forever.


Just hand me a crayon in the nursing home, please. I will help you reach your destination.


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One of the marks of being an artist is creating a body of work that is truly unique and recognizable as the artist's own. To me, Karen Cole fits this description to a tee. She has created an incredible series of artworks using a fascinating technique that involves copper sheeting, found objects, stitching and paint. I have seen her work in person and its intricacy, detail, and dimension is truly extraordinary. Somehow her pieces take on a sense of history and feel almost like relics or artifacts from another age.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Karen on a number of occasions, the most memorable of which was spending an afternoon in 2010 wandering around an exhibit of Alselm Kiefer's work at the Gagosian Gallery in NYC. Sharing that astonishing exhibition with Karen, with both our jaws on the floor and our fingers on our shutter buttons, was a special experience. I get to see Karen again later this month at my artists panel at The Ink Pad. I am hoping that on that day that I have opportunity to see her mixed media work again. 
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GIVEAWAY

NOW CLOSED

57 comments:

Lisa H said...

This work is stunning. Karen's personality burns as brightly as her very original art. The mix of mediums is just excellent. Yet another "Original".

Seriously Seth, this is only artist 16 and I feel like I've stumbled into Wonderland after eating mushrooms. Not that I'd know what THAT feels like. I'm still going to follow you down the rabbit hole.....

sf said...

Wow - her work is exquisite.

Numinosity said...

so nice to see you featuring Karen here. He work is worthy of the honor.

Robyn A said...

This is going to be the mother of all mixed media books - I haven't quite worked out yet how to get back to the beginning of March but all the artists so far are "known" to me through their work appearing in a book or magazine. Amazing art,like icons really.

lyle baxter said...

seth, I am so pleased that you included Karen in your book. she is an outstanding artist and a lovely lady besides!

Betty Ann said...

Would love to enter the giveaway.
thanks,
Betty Ann

sukipoet said...

I hadnt seen her work before and so thank you for introducing me to her. Amazing.

lindjoy said...

Her work has an amazing power to "pull me right in"! Thanks.
You are featuring such great inspirational talent.

jinxxxygirl said...

Thanks so much for introducing me to Karen , Seth. She is an amazing artist! Such detail. Love it!

ArtPropelled said...

I havn't had the pleasure of meeting Karen face to face but from the warm comments I've received on my blog over the years I feel we have met. I know I would enjoy her company! As you mentioned, Karen's work is one of a kind and very intriguing. Besides her intricate layered pieces, I am always amazed at her drawings which are quite extraordinary.

Aleta said...

Wow! Karen is an amazing artist and I am eager to see more of her work!

Aleta said...

Wow! Karen is an amazing artist and I am eager to see more of her work!

Ro Bruhn said...

One of my favourites. Karen's a brilliant artist. I'm lucky enough to have a beautiful piece of her work in one of my books. It's so inspiring.

Cynthia S. said...

Your word, "relics" is quite apt for Karen Cole's work. These look like jewel-encrusted book covers.

Annie said...

Oh my, but these are so beautiful.
Our work is completely different, but her discription of how she works fits me to a tee. I must now go and explore Karen's art.xoxo

Maggie Crawford said...

Karen's work is very unique and amazing to look at. Once again I am indebted to Seth for introducing me to such a wide variety of artwork and to Danny for introducing me to Seth.

Storyheart said...

Such beautiful work! Amazing what journeys without maps can create.

Robert said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
susan in seattle said...

Wow another great artist introduction! Karen's work is stunning!

susan in seattle said...

Wow another great artist introduction! Karen's work is stunning!

Robert said...

Love Karen Cole's re-assemblages! The individual, and combined imagery incorporated into her icon-like triptych, in the book, create a delightful, multi-faceted self portrait. I'm especially fond of the manner in which she integrates a wide range of materials, such as the painted copper sheeting, embellished with stiched thread; two materials it would never, in a million years, have occurred to me to combine! . . . . .and the Henry Miller quote on her blog, Artsortments, about books generally (and The Pulse of Mixed Media, specifically): just Superb!

Sounds like The Ink Pad is going to be a PARTY!

donna joy said...

Stunning work-i'm sure it's even more so in person!

Parabolic Muse said...

Karen is one of the sweetest persons in the universe. And I've been about everywhere there.

I describe her work as 'Jewel-toned'. I mean, when interviewed.

Awesome post, Seth. And your book makes me cry. I probably should cut back.

Carol said...

So glad I went to Karen's blog and saw her amazing work! Loved the story of the velvet bag-I've been a dumpster diver for most of my life much to the dismay of my family!.!?

onesmallstitch said...

Karen's work is new to me, it is fascinating. Wish I could see it in "person" and her blog is one I will definitely bookmark. Thanks, again

elle said...

My goodness. This is very unique work. Wonderful.

Unknown said...

with creation Karen was not acquainted to today! I am glad to meet new master! surprisings works!!!

Jill Zaheer said...

Love reading all about Karen, her artwork and your story about your meeting with her! She has such a unique style of art- so intricately detailed- you really need to study it to give it the time it properly deserves.
Can't wait to meet Karen at the Ink Pad. What a great day it will be!

Jo Murray said...

Such rich and detailed surfaces. Love her work.

rivergardenstudio said...

It's Karens's day!! You have done such a great job here Seth! I can't believe that I get to see Karen's work in person at The Ink Pad and spend time with her and everyone. We are going to have so much fun!!
You are right, Karyn's work is completely unique, magical, like a blend between the past and the future. I am so amazed at the colors she can create on her pieces, and love her words here..."I am going to continue this wandering forever."
Beautiful!!!
roxanne

Maureen said...

Karen's work is superb.

Bill said...

Karen's work is truly amazing. Wow!

Beth Hikes said...

What an amazing project! Thanks Seth for putting this together. Good to meet you and I look forward to learning more. xoxo Beth

Bev said...

wow another fab artist love Karen's work its to tactile and sort of ancient looking ....

hugz bev

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Once again, I got wrapped up in another blog, this time Karen's. She makes excellent art and I am so glad I got to visit her blog today. Exposure is awesome.

Rebeca Trevino said...

the work is amazing. and learning more about Karen is terrific.

Carol said...

Thrilled to bits to find Karen here. You just offer one great artist after another. A daily treat. I'm spending far too long reading all the blogs but itvreallynis a lot of fun.

Judy said...

Wow! Yet another influence to follow, I dont know Karen or her work at all, but I found her here. Seth, "The Pulse of Mixed Media" is going to bring a great many artists and their work to a wider auidence.

liberal sprinkles said...

Karen's work is new to me. The use of copper sheeting is so interesting, I love all the textures in the pieces.

Patricia Wolf said...

Wow!!! Amazing work. Would love to " touch" it!

Melva said...

Karens work is stunning. Thanks for giving us the chance to see it...
Melva

dawn13 said...

I am going to remember your comment recognizing ALL types of artist's whether they are from the scrapbooking community or mixed media or whatever. It is Art & it is the same thing that drives me every day to create something. Your book is simply amazing, I cannot wait to have my own copy whether I win it in your generous give-away or I purchase it. Either way I can't wait! Thanks so much.

Darlene K Campbell said...

Seth,
Hooray for you cheering on all artists no matter the medium. We need creative people to help ensure living in a peaceful and loving world. Art, no matter what the form, is as necessary as breathing.
Darlene

Suzanne Bouchard said...

karen's work is truly unique and interesting.I love all the intricate details. her work looks like jewels.

Kim Goodwin said...

Karen I love your work ! I'm so pleased to see you in Seth's new book. I look forward to reading it and enjoying the insightful journey with you .

Amie said...

Had never seen her stuff, but it's very interesting

larkd said...

Great work Karen!

HeARTworks said...

Have not come across the work of karen Cole yet but she is fantastic! She'll be on my radar from now on! Thanks! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Denise said...

Karen's work is amazing,beautiful, and she is an inspiration. Thank you for including her! ~Denise

Unknown said...

Sometimes there's a gaper delay after an accident.
This sentence leaped out of the computer screen shouting yes, yes, yes. Because I learned (actually I read it who knows where, but it stuck) that art is just about solving problems. Maybe this is my own para-phrase; maybe the quote was that art was about fixing mistakes. Who cares. It means you embrace the mistakes because it takes you other places you would likely have chosen not to go. Angst? Who needs angst? We do. Wonderful interview that spoke to me. *smiles* Norma
p.s. I also learned that not all mistakes can be fixed, like in life. And that someone's mistake can be anothers' masterpiece. In any event mistakes are sadly underrated. xo

Anonymous said...

I'm not familiar with Karen's work, but it certainly is eye catching.

Cathy said...

Seth, thank you so much for sharing all of this work!!!

Judy said...

From one "monster of art" to the other "monsters", Seth and Karen: Karens artwork is magnificent, highly original and above all unique just like her personality.

Loved that Karen and I were the first to meet the man behind the Altered Page.

Magnificent choice Seth.
xo

~Babs said...

I've not had the pleasure of seeing Karen's outstanding work before now. Unique and original, I was delighted to enlarge the photos to digest the detail.
Thank you, Seth!

Frances said...

Enjoyed reading how Karen describes her process.

Dianne said...

talent for using 'found' objects indeed! so much texture and delight!

Rusted Wings said...

karen's work is new to me...but oh, so wonderful!!! thanks again for sharing seth!!