Episode 11: Karen Fisher
What Muncie Neighborhood do you live in?
Old West End
I call myself a:
I call myself a painter, a maker of stuff and collector of things.
How did you get started in your practice?
I admired anyone who could draw when I was a kid and would practice for hours. I entered college knowing I wanted to be an art major and after finishing school, I took about a 20 year break before practicing any art at all! On a whim I bought a sketchbook and started to draw; now I try to carve out time each day to do some creative thing. Most things I see I wonder if that would make an interesting painting.
Are you an artist full time? If no, what is your day job?
I don’t really call myself an artist; I think it sounds pretentious, at least for me. I will label myself “a creative”. I own Art Mart, an art supply store in Muncie, which is my full time job.
How do you find time to make your work?
Early mornings, late afternoons are my favorite times to work.
WHAT MATERIALS, INSTRUMENTS, OR TECHNOLOGY DO YOU USE IN YOUR PRACTICE?
I mainly use oil paints, but lately I have been painting with pastels and loving them. I also use graphite pencils, colored pencils, and watercolor pencils because I love the look of watercolor, but am afraid of the medium. I also use acrylic paint, pen, markers and ink for my occasional relief print. It’s hard, when supplies are my world and available daily, not to try all of them! As an art education major at BSU, I was required to take classes in every discipline, so my choice for “favorite” medium is very blurry. I was once asked why I just didn’t pick 1 thing and get really good in that. I can’t imagine what 1 thing I would pick!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING IN YOUR STUDIO / WORKSPACE?
The light! In our old house my studio was in the basement and had only artificial light. I have 2 very large windows in my second floor studio and I love the natural light. Having a dedicated studio in my home is a luxury I never thought I would have! Besides I can leave the studio, close the door and not worry about my paints being left on the table!
What do you wish others knew about your practice?
I paint, draw or make the things that make me happy! I am not trendy, I stay with the things I know and love. I will try something totally different every now and then, just to challenge myself, but I always come back to the things I love, mainly my collections. I do collect obscure items or defunct items. If the design of the item grabs me, I’ll collect it. Old office and art supplies have already been mentioned, I’m also known to collect door handles, tops, toys from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, cups, kitchen chairs, old lawn furniture, it’s a menagerie of stuff!
If you could be doing anything right now, what would it be?
I would really like to be somewhere warm, outside with the sun beating on me, having coffee with a friend, or a sib talking, laughing and possibly reminiscing.
What’s on your bookshelf or playing in your studio these days?
One can almost always hear the old 60’s and 70’s music from my studio. I will sing loud and clear to the songs I grew up with, and I can remember most of the words. Music can certainly transform my mood!
What other creative practitioners do you look to for inspiration?
I go antiquing and look for new stuff for my collections!
What is your favorite part about being an artist in Muncie?
The rest of the community of artists and creative people!
What is your favorite place in Muncie?
This is a tough question! I would say home and my shop are my 2 favorite places. Those are the 2 places I know I can just let it all hang out and be myself.
What is your favorite creative place to go
I love to walk; nature can inspire me to at least get into the studio. I really like and appreciate the trail that runs through Muncie and often will walk or ride my bike on the trail. I am also very fond of campus. It is a beautiful campus, one we should all be proud of to have in our town. I like to take advantage of that beauty and I often take a walk in the middle of my work day when it’s nice, just to get fresh air. My favorite walking companion is my Grandson Liam! He talks a mile a minute, so it may not be relaxing, but he’s very entertaining!
Where can people see your work or learn more about you?
I currently have art on the Muncie Artist Guild’s website. MuncieArtistGuild.com. As a member of the Muncie Artist Guild, we provide art for several businesses in Muncie and I am always glad and proud to have my work showing at one of those businesses. We also do Artist of the Month and one member will have art hanging in 6-7 different businesses for a month.