Maker's bio

Karen is a feltmaker and textile artist. She has been designing and creating with textiles since she was a child, but in 2015 she was introduced to the ancient art of wet felting and instantly fell in love with the incredible versatility of it. Since then, she has concentrated primarily on her felt making, taking numerous courses from UK and international felt makers, to develop and refine her skills. She is also a member of the International Felt makers’ Association. Karen creates richly detailed accessories and artwork inspired by the colours and textures of nature. She says: "Nature offers an endless array of textures to study, from the gnarled, knotted, twisted bark of an ancient oak, to the delicate lace of foam left by receding waves. These are the elements that truly captivate me and provide the starting point for all of my work. The changing light and colours of the seasons are also a constant source of inspiration. I find colour to be incredibly uplifting and mood enhancing . The fresh new lime greens of spring inspire hope and optimism, the deep azure blues of the sea and reds, purples and yellows of summer meadows create a sense of joy and energy, and of course the rich coppery browns, ochres and rusty oranges of autumn conjure up the feelings of cosiness and warmth. I hope to evoke some of these emotions from the viewer when creating my work."