Karen Woodward is an Art of Austin artist!
Karen Woodward
AoA – How long have you been in Austin and how did you find your way here?
Karen – I’ve been in Austin for almost 10 years! I’ve lived in Dallas, Houston, and Austin before, and after living in St. Louis for 12 years we decided it was time to come back home.
AoA – When did you realize that you were an artist?
Karen – I’d say Elementary School. I remember in school there was art and assorted other classes. In the 2ndgrade we had art class on TV where we learned how to draw cubes and other 3D shapes. I remember feeling that this was something I understood. As a little kid it was amazing to me to draw a 3D cube on a flat piece of paper. Those lessons are still with me to this day.
AoA – Can you speak to your art training?
Karen – I have a BA in Art History from UT Austin, took sculpture classes at both the University of Houston and the Glassell School of Art, and earned an MFA in Sculpture from Washington University in St. Louis. But even after all of that school I’d still say that I am self taught. School definitely gave me perspective and a few techniques, but it was the time spent by myself experimenting with materials I was able to learn.
AoA – Where do you find inspiration?
Karen – People watching. I love to watch people and see their facial expressions. I’m always intrigued to see how mood and emotion correlate to a facial expression.
AoA – What is your work concerned with?
Karen – Mental states and states of being. People are complicated and life is full of comedy and tragedy. I explore these human themes through portraiture, with a touch of absurdity.
AoA – What are your preferred medium(s)?
Karen – Definitely glass. But for the past couple of years I’ve been experimenting with painting and light as well.
AoA – Can you talk a little about your creative processes?
Karen – My creative process usually starts with an idea and a simple drawing in my sketchbook. Not too complicated and very simple. With the drawings I plan out the shape and overall proportions of a sculpture that I want to make. I’ll bring the sketchbook into my hot shop and place the drawing nearby for reference. Other times I do not use a sketch and I work intuitively based on how I feel or by the materials that are in front of me. I have a general idea of where I’d like to go, but there’s no planning involved. It’s all about experimentation and discovery. Because of this I always like to say that I work both forward and backward.
AoA – Do you have any feelings towards Digital Art versus traditional mediums?
Karen – I prefer to use traditional mediums in my own work, but I definitely have respect for the digital artist. My daughter does some amazing drawings on the iPad. She has an incredible sensitivity to color. It has really opened my eyes to the amount of skill involved with digital mediums.
AoA – Who are some artists that you look to?
Karen – One of my favorite artists is Tony Oursler. He is a multimedia and installation artist. I first saw his LCD video projection work in the 90s. The work always stretches my mind.
AoA – If you could own 1 piece from a living artist, who would it be?
Karen – My daughter! Now If I could just get her to print one of her iPad drawings.
AoA – Big question. What do you feel the role of art is in the world?
Karen – I think that the world can be a very ugly and dark place, and that it is the job of the artist to put something beautiful into it.
AoA – What else do you enjoy besides making art?
Karen – I enjoy family time with my husband and daughter and working with my African Grey parrot. I’ve had Gladys for about 5 years now. She is 31 years old and I’m her forever home. I am told that these birds can live for up to 60 years. She’s very intelligent and I think she might even be smarter than some humans!
AoA – We almost hate to ask because that’s all we hear about these days, but how have you had to adapt as an artist to the current Covid-19 pandemic? Where can we currently find your work?
Karen – Currently, I post new works on Instagram but that’s about it. Unfortunately, most of my upcoming shows and fairs are either postponed or cancelled. I am hoping to have a private show at my Canopy studio this fall. I’ll have a virtual gallery with viewing by appointment only. It’s the best I can do.
AoA – What advice would you give all the artists reading out there?
Karen – Just do your best to keep making art. It’s ok to take some down time for what I call “creative rest”. Even with all the time in the world, you can’t force creativity or productivity. When things feel right the art will happen.
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