Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen DeGuire.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a creative soul. It’s the air I breathe. Perhaps even my religion. I worship when I create. I studied theatre design and technology and art at the University of Evansville and got two BFA’s in 4 years. I started my professional career making costumes for various theatre companies, including the New Harmony Project, High Point Shakespeare Festival, The REP, and Opera Theatre St. Louis. When my first child was born in 2003, I decided to be a stay at home mom and opened my clothing company, Curious Cat Clothing. I sold my clothing, photograph, ceramics, and oil paintings at various shops, sci-fi/fantasy conventions, and farmer markets until a new opportunity for learning technology assisted art presented itself.
My newest set of skills were acquired when the maker space, MADE, opened up on Delmar. A whole untapped world of equipment and techniques were suddenly available to me and I got addicted to exploring and learning everything they had to offer.
The laser cutters presented an amazing opportunity to use materials I hadn’t explored previously, as I was a mostly a traditional artist who painted with oil and sculpted with clay. I found the lasers to be incredibly versatile and thought I would be able to cut my corset bodies using them, thus saving time and my hands, as the corsets are made with several layers of duck canvas. Unfortunately, I did not foresee that the lasers would set the cotton duck on fire! I had this awesome new skill and didn’t know what to do with it after that.
After a particularly delicious, bountiful Thanksgiving at my Mother in Law’s, where she pulled out about a dozen trivets to serve the abundant meal, I had an epiphany. I wanted to make trivets, designed with radial symmetry, like the snowflakes I love to cut out of paper, only much more durable. I started there, created my designs on the computer and the laser cut each layer individually out of wood sheets. I sealed them with Danish oil to make them functional, strong, and heat resistant. It also meant endless gifts for my Mother in Law!
My wall mandalas are a more recent development and the water based wood dyes I discovered have really expanded my horizons on what can be achieved visually with these layered wall hangings. Each mandala consists of 4 to as many as 14 layers, cut individually from hand painted birch sheets. I design and color the layers on the computer virtually beforehand so I have an idea of what the finished product will look like. Once they are cut, I glue each layer meticulously together using a vacuum bag to make a beautiful, precise piece of artwork. I finish them with polyurethane to protect the wood. Each one is unique and the possibilities are endless. The scraps from the larger pieces are used to make smaller ornaments and now, my latest edition, earrings.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Artists never have it easy. Being an artist means hustling. All the time. There is no day off. That can put a strain on one’s personal relationships, health, and mental state. I struggle with multiple chronic illnesses, which can leave me in pain, lethargic, and fatigued. Getting up in the morning is challenging on some days. Fortunately, I have a very supportive family, including my husband, and two kids. That makes set up and tear down for an art show much easier, as just the task of setting up can take over 2 hours and weighs more than 400 pounds. My artwork is NOT light!
My husband is a teacher, so money is always tight. I am very fortunate to have parents who are able to help make ends meet when we can’t do it on our own.
I have run into people who scoff at my work because it is machine assisted. They ask if I used a scroll saw to make them. I laugh and show them that I still have all of my fingers and explain I would only be able to make 2 pieces a year with that method, and they would not be anywhere near as precise as I want them to be.
Because I am neuro divergent, I find myself struggling with imposter syndrome on occasion. I doubt what I’m doing and if it’s worth it. I also recognize that my work does help me manage my mild OCD, and I channel it to help with my precise construction. I joke with patrons that I try to use my OCD for good and not evil.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always had a gift for engineering. My father still chides me for not becoming a mechanical or electrical engineer. I love to take things apart and put them back together in new ways,
At this time, I am focused on my complex layered laser cut wooden wall art. It’s dimensional, which is hard to wrap your head around from a picture. My favorite part of the process is choosing my color palette, which I can do virtually on my monitor before I even start painting or cutting my panels.
I know not everybody can afford an original piece, so I started making stickers of my designs and note cards with photographs of some of my wall art on the fronts.
Any time I work an art show, I engage with people who are fascinated about the process. I love to share how I make my work and people seem to enjoy learning about it. I’ve been asked multiple times if I “invented” this process, because they’ve never seen anything like it. I honestly can’t say. Not many people do what I do.
My influence for my designs are rooted in sacred geometry, nature, and architecture. Everywhere I go, I see a mandala design in the making. I think my obsession with spirograph and kaleidoscopes as a kid played a part in my love of radial symmetry, too. I believe the ability for my mind to organize shapes and colors into universally pleasing motifs is one of my greatest strengths and I enjoy sharing it with others.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
KEEP RECORDS AND STAY UP TO DATE WITH THEM! There is nothing worse than going into your inventory and realizing you’re 6 months behind on adding new items and tracking sales. If you’re not business minded or don’t have an inclination to learn, hire a professional.
Don’t give up. Don’t be too hard on yourself. ASK FOR HELP! This one is really hard for me.
Pricing:
- Trivet $40
- Ornament $35
- Note Cards $10-$30
- Wall art $300-$3000
- Stickers $5
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karendeguirecreations.com
- Instagram: @karendeguirecreations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Karen-DeGuire-Creations-100074505468489/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/rYfiX-larhU
