Karen Henderson

Bio:

Karen received her BFA in Textile Design from Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA. After completing her degree she worked as a textile designer in York, PA, while continuing her studio art practice. Karen creates hand woven and collaged fabric wall pieces using batik, shibori, discharge and stitching techniques. Her work has been shown in numerous galleries and exhibitions nationwide.

Statement:

In my work, I am interested in the connections between self, place, emotion and time. Seasons, atmospheres and the time of day intrigue me. I try to recreate these natural occurrences, evoking emotions that I associate with them through the use of color, line, and texture. I use different dye techniques (batik, shibori, discharge) as well as sewing with my weavings and fabric pieces. I draw lines by stitching with thread. Dimension is added with tucks, layers, or other manipulations of fabric. The lines suggest landscape or other aspects of nature. Most of the techniques I choose to use are very contemplative, encouraging introspection; other processes are spontaneous and unpredictable. I try to find a balance between the two approaches.

Some of Karen's Work: (click images for larger views)

"Walpack Autumn"

Batik and rust, with machine and hand stitching on hand woven linen and cotton fabric. 14" x 16 1/4"

"Breach"

Hand woven silk and linen fabric with dye painting, collage, and stitching 15” x 17”

"First Frost with Fog"

Hand woven silks, dye painting and stitching, collaged with silver foil and printed silk organza.  16.75“  x  21“

"Dusk Gathers"

Shibori and batik with hand stitching on hand woven cotton and linen fabric. 14 3/4" x 15 1/4"

Essence

"Interconnected"

Batik and hand stitching on hand woven linen. 16" x 15 1/4"