Artful Circle brings a little artful cheer to you
ONCE A DAY, EVERY DAY !
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AUGUST IS AMERICAN ARTIST APPRECIATION MONTH! |
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Karmin Schafer Hansen
BY JACQUELINE COVEY
PICTURE EDITOR & DESIGNER: DEBBIE WELLS
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The artist poses in front of one of her mixed media pieces.
Even though it was last month, I still have images dancing in my head of the amazing artwork at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair in July in Southampton, NY. The show was packed with everything from big names like Gérome, Escher, Picasso, Dalí, Frankenthaler, Perle Fine and so much more, to contemporary works by Jean-Philippe Kadzinski, Miss Bugs, Zhang Hong Yi, Kenny Scharf, and I-kid-you-not thousands of others.
But what was even more special to me than seeing the array of works was having the chance to meet and speak to some of the artists, like Karmin Schafer Hansen, whose works from her “LOST and FOUND" series literally popped off the walls. They immediately registered in my eye as something different — unlike anything I’d expect to see at this Fair.
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A curly close-up!
When I first eyed her work from afar, the pieces seemed to be made of some sort of colorful “curly material;” was it tinsel? Paper? Metal? Drawn in by the strong color combinations, apparent textures and my questions about the material, I went right over to this booth. Schafer, who was represented by the Alessandro Berni Gallery at this show, approached me — as always, it's such a treat to talk to the artist, and I learned that these pieces were made from wood!
We talked about her background as a painter, and how all that changed when she saw Master Wood Carver Glenn Lucas working on TV. She saw the long spiral wood shavings fall from the piece he was carving, and instantly saw the potential in their flourish and individuality. She contacted Lucas that very same day. Since he lives in Ireland, the wood shavings wouldn’t last if he shipped them to Schafer he said, however, he was coming to the US for some wood carving shows — and she went to meet him. Lucas had saved two huge bags full of his shavings! And, as a way to honor and continue that magnificent artist bond, Karmin incorporates some of Lucas’ own natural wood shavings into each piece. These are shavings that have fallen to the floor, as “lost” or discarded, and Schafer “finds” them and gives them new life within her works, thus maintaining that connection to her inspiration.
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Karmin dyes and hand curls every single spiral that does not come from Lucas — which is most of them! She creates these festoons one curly reed at a time, twisting, spiraling and curving them, attaching them to a wooden backboard and arranging them in, around, and next-to each other, a labor- and time-intensive work. It is obvious that Schafer has "mad skills" as a colorist, and it’s no surprise that she has a BFA in Painting (along with an MA in Education). The pieces take a variety of designs, color combos, shapes and sizes; here are just a few samples for you to enjoy. |
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Above: (L-R):LOST AND FOUND #45 and LOST AND FOUND #6; Below: LOST AND FOUND #81
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To me, one of the most exciting aspects of these LOST and FOUND works is just that — the “trash to treasure” story of how one artists’ throwaways are the heart of another artists’ series. And, when you think you have seen it all at the end of the day at a world-class art fair, it’s an awesome experience to be struck by something so unusual. Schafer’s work is a testament to the endless imagination of artists, and to how inspiration and originality can be found even in then most unexpected ways for those who have creative minds. |
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Schafer is based in the Syracuse area, and aims to keep creating these works on larger scales and perhaps explore making them with different materials, such as metal. No matter what, I’m grateful for the “sliver” of joy her pieces bring to me, and will always remember the passion she has for her art. |
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Above: (L-R): LOST AND FOUND #62 and LOST AND FOUND #35 and detail (below)
CLICK HERE for Karmin Schafer’s website, and follow her on Instagram @karminshaferhansen
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ARTFUL CIRCLE PRESENTS
THE AMERICAN ARTIST
VIRTUAL MINI-SERIES
Two Sessions at 10am: August 24 and August 31
Can't make the date? Watch a recording at your convenience.
Cost: $80
It took until the mid-19th century to establish a voice on the world stage. At first, most American artists were strongly influenced by European standards, until they found inspiration on their own shores, including the rural and urban landscapes that are uniquely American.
Session 1: AMERICAN ARTISTS 101 with Franklin Hill Perrell and Debbie Wells
Session 2: AMERICAN WOMEN ARTISTS with Debbie Wells and Jacqueline Covey
Register online or contact us at 516-819-2240 or debbie@artfulcircle.com to register by mail.
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Save the Date
Stay tuned for registration info!
"NEW YORK: 1962-1964"
On View July 22, 2022 - Jan 8, 2023
at the Jewish Museum in NYC
One Session Webinar
Wednesday, Sept 7th - 11am
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To join our email list, contact us at 516-819-2240 or debbie@artfulcircle.com or register online.
Spread the word and tell an art-loving friend about us.
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