Karen taught ceramics for 9 years at college and further education venues, including several workshops for the Deaf association in Barrow. While teaching at college, Karen only had time for exhibiting with the local art societies in the Furness area, she decided it was time to set up her own workshop/studio and quit her job, (creating a QUIET MIND to enable herself to make the sculptures and pottery).
About 1999 Angie Flynn, (they worked together at college, Felt textile artist) had an exhibition together at the Dock Museum, Barrow, titled “Fired and Felled”
1997 had work accepted with Cumbria Craft Guild at Grizedale forest
1997-2000 Became a full member of Cumbria Craft Guild, having work accepted 3 times running. Exhibited and sold work with the Guild at Far field mil4 Sedburgh, and other venues. 2000 Supplied work to Tinners Rabbit, Ulverston, selling stylised sculptures.
200l Karen had a stand at “Pot Fest” in the pens,and sold really well. Potfest is set in cattle market pens in Pen rith once a year, and attracts 200 potters/sculpters, from all over the Globe,this is a 3 day event, selling work and meeting a wide audience of Gallery owners interested in stocking their galleries with this work. Not to mention the excellent camaraderie amongst fellow potters meeting up in the bar after each tiring day.
2002 Exhibited at Lowes Court Gallery (invited by Linda Moore from meeting at Potfest.)with Ann Galloway, and a wood turner.The exhibition coincided with the Medieval re-enactment event. 2002 Couldn’t take part in potfest this year, family wedding. So concentrated on open exhibitions of the areas in Cumbria. 2003 Had a solo exhibition at “Tinners Rabbit” Ulverston. 2003 Potfest in the pens.There for another year,albiet rather meltingly hot, but still sold well despite the heat of that wonderful summer.
2003 Had work accepted with Lakes Art Society in Grasmere.July-September)
2003 Work accepted with 5 local art groups in Cumbria,summer and Autumn shows
2003 Working in the studio creating new work for the Northern Pollen Association, Karen has been a member now for 3 years.Karen had 7 pieces of work selected for showing with Northern Potters, for their show, at Tullie House, Carlisle. From November to January.
2004 January/Feb, is time in the studio to create new work for coming events throughout the year, including the work showing here with Chromazone.
Karen’s work is for sale at a variety of Galleries and exhibitions throughout Cumbria. Working mostly in clay,using a varied selection including,”T”material, Porcelain. brick shale, porcelain paper clay, and special white stoneware.
Karen’s main work consists of 2 styles I stylised sculptures of animals, female forms,& tiles, her signature colour being Ultramarine/turquoise, with hints of violet. spray glazed to get this effect, working with her own mix of clay Porcelain and “1” material, this is then fired to stoncware temperature. The horse design is based on the
Han- Dynasty style, saddle horses ( minus saddle) some pieces are dressed with mixed media copper wire and semi precious stones (turquoise,amethyst,crystals)
Her other work is the Chalice, a wheel thrown composite, designed originally for a local church as a commission, then elaborated the initial design, with the stem left hollow, this holds a scroll, which tells the holder of the Chalice how the design came into being, and also of the poetry sometimes printed into the clay. Inlaid letters with a contrasting glaze, and then spray glaze the whole piece. Mixed media is added when firing is complete. Some Chalices have miniature portrait sprigs on the side, some with heads of Buddha and an incense holder set into the rini,so the Chalice holder has a complete meditation set. The Chalice is meant for floating candles, giving a gentle calming lighting, instructions for use are placed in the hollow stem.