Episode 6: Karen Ford
This is shelf fungus growing on a downed tree on our property. Look closely at the shape of the fungus. It’s almost ruffled on the edges and I think it’s beautiful. I break off some pieces, take them inside, wash and dry them and get ready to make them into art.
This piece is also made from walnut twigs. This time I painted them gold with metallic paint. They are hold into the curved shape by the tension between the twigs and the beads.
Where do you live?
I live in Yorktown.
I call myself a:
I call myself a preserver of nature: I dry and press flowers, collect corn husks and pine cones. I scoop up walnut twigs and cut down grasses. I break fungus from logs and clean out insect tracks in wood. What’s left becomes art! Come follow me into my backyard and see what I see.
What is your creative practice?
I find interesting containers: vases, baskets, pieces of wood and look for natural elements in my yard or neighborhood that I think would look nice inside. Then I go about preserving the materials and fixing them into the containers.
How did you get started in your practice?
In looking for ways to preserve nature I found books at my library. I researched online for more information and practiced, practiced, practiced!!
Are you an artist full time? If no, what is your day job?
I am retired and enjoy my free time making things.
A little about my process:
Here are the cleaned and dried pieces of shelf fungus. I’ve trimmed them a bit and am ready to glue them together to make fungus flowers. I use hot melt glue to form the pieces of shelf fungus into flower shapes. At this point the flowers could be painted but I prefer them their natural color. Look at the beautiful lines inside. Next I wrap the florist wire with floral tape. Then I’ll glue the wire to the bottom of the flowers.
The finished product: shelf fungus flowers on display in a pretty vase. Dried Queen Anne’s Lace and Northern Sea Oats accent nicely.
This piece of art is made from walnut twigs I found on the ground in my yard. They are anchored in the center with hot melt glue. The curved lines are the result of the tension between the walnut twigs and the beads that I’ve threaded them through.
How do you find time to make your work?
Even though I am retired I find that I’m often busy during the day with gardening and house duties. I often work late at night…it seems to be my most creative time.
WHAT MATERIALS, INSTRUMENTS, OR TECHNOLOGY DO YOU USE IN YOUR PRACTICE?
I use silica gel for drying some flowers, others I hang dry with clothespins on line strung in my closet! I use hot melt glue, florist wire and tape. Fabric dye is used on cornhusks and I use Styrofoam balls to shape the heads when I make cornhusk people. I love to use metallic paint and also chalk paint to hand paint baskets and vases.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING IN YOUR STUDIO / WORKSPACE?
I love having my own room (unless company comes to stay overnight) and especially my big table. It tends to get full quickly but part of the fun of having this space is the freedom to let things go until I finish a project. The creative juices seem to flow better that way!
What do you wish others knew about your practice?
I want others to know that I just love being able to preserve the beauty of nature and hope others feel that joy when they see my creations.
If you could be doing anything right now, what would it be?
Rocking my sleepy grandson to sleep.
Made from dyed corn husks this piece won second place in Fusion Art’s online international competition “Still Life” in the 3-D category this spring.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I love wandering the grounds at the Minnetrista Cultural Center. I also enjoy walking along the White River. The grounds at Newfield’s are also inspirational. Honestly, I find much peace and inspiration looking at the clouds and sunsets from my front porch.
What’s on your bookshelf or playing in your studio these days?
I love listening to the oldies channel on TV.
What other creative practitioners do you look to for inspiration?
I find inspiration from quilters. The intricate work that they do is awe-inspiring.
These are peonies from my yard that have been dried with silica gel and arranged along with dried salvia and northern sea oats.
The vase was a clear glass vase that I’ve painted with chalk paint overlaid with various shades of metallic paint.
What is your favorite part about being an artist in Muncie?
I’m new to the art scene in Delaware County but it seems like a very open and inviting atmosphere where art is valued as an important aspect of the whole person.
What is your favorite place in Muncie?
Hmmm...that just might have to be "The Barking Cow" ice cream shop!!!!
What is your favorite creative place to go
That would have to be the Minnetrista Cultural Center grounds.
What have you learned that you would like young artists to know?
Often my first plans don’t work out and I change and start again and again until I have a finished product that makes me smile. It takes a lot of patience to work until you get it right…but it’s so worth it.
Where can people see your work or learn more about you?
My website is : https://center-of-attention.wixsite.com/gallery. I also have a business Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/karenfordyorktown.
My artwork is for sale at: Keeper's Resale Shop in Chesterfield; the Craft Shed at Spangler Farms in Yorktown and at Forever Baskets in Muncie.