Karen McCarthy

"I hope to create some sense of reprieve from the bombardment of images which confronts us from day to day. It is an attempt to find an antidote, a breathing space, and a personal respite from some of the chaos and hectic pace of life we collectively experience."

As a collage and fiber artist, Karen McCarthy revels in taking similar or disparate parts and melding them into something new. She explores the subtleties and complexities of color, light, and movement with constant fascination. There are often references to the landscape and other natural forms in her work, while inspiration derives from a range of influences—from the engaging details of Italian Renaissance masters' panel paintings to otherworldly rock formations she has encountered in the American Southwest.

McCarthy fabricates her own collage materials using painting and printmaking techniques, including paste paper printing, gelatin plate printing, and stenciling,. These techniques allow for a gradual buildup of imagery and a wide range of textural effects and moods. In the final stage, she machine stitches the constructions, using the stitched line as a design element while celebrating her passion for textiles.

After earning a BFA in fibers/textiles from Massachusetts College of Art, McCarthy furthered her education at intensive workshops in mixed-media, textiles, and paper arts at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Penland School of Craft, and Haystack Mountain School of Craft. Her work has been featured in numerous solo, two-person, and group exhibitions.