Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Williams Smith.
Hi Karen Williams, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a multi facetted artist. I do a variety of artwork in different sizes and mediums. Like most artists I started to be very creative in grammar school. That continued through high school and college.
Through life experience I eventually realized I am mostly drawn to mixed media and more specifically to figurative sculpture.
I had a very successful business as a one-of-a-kind doll sculptor in polymer clay for many years. I sold my artwork at national and international shows.
These days I am mostly sculpting in water based clays: ceramic, stone and porcelain clays I also still occasionally do a few polymer pieces a year.
I am a part time teacher at The Fallbrook School of the Arts, in Fallbrook, CA,. I teach a variety of sculpting projects from animals to figurative sculpting. I also work with rocks and do rocks on canvas.
These days I sell my artwork at the Fallbrook Art Center in Fallbrook, CA in a variety of different shows throughout the year and in their gift section.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am a self-taught artist so I can’t say my art journey hasn’t been without struggles, challenges and dedication. However, I have enjoyed the hills and valleys along the way. I am continually pushing the envelop so the journey continues. I would never be content to do the same thing year in and year out.
I am always stretching and trying different mediums and combinations. In the process I have learned I can also sculpt in any size. Because I am mostly a mixed media artist I have learned to use a wide variety of materials and I’m always open to a new technique or product.
Everything has a new learning curve but I enjoy the challenge.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At this point of my artistic life I am very comfortable in my “artist skin”. With years of experience to draw upon I feel I am able to help others enjoy the creative process. I love teaching and its nice to know my students always love my classes.
The Fallbrook School of the Arts is a unique school that offers a variety of classes to the public.
They offer classes in Glass, Ceramic, Painting, Book Making, Printing, creative writing and Sculpture just to name a few. It’s a warm inviting community of teachers and students who enjoy exploring the creative world in a friendly environment under the watchful eye of an encouraging administrator. I am currently planning to teach 3 ceramic clay classes where we will sculpt your favorite animal or pet.
The school is connected to the Fallbrook Art Center Gallery where I sell my own work now. It is a pretty well known gallery in North County San Diego. Instead of having a stable of artists they promote the gallery hosts a variety of shows each year. Different shows give many artists an opportunity to show and sell their work. Each judged show is open to all artists. Fallbrookartcenter.org. Look for “Artist Oppotunities”.
At the moment I am in a Guild Show at the gallery. I have four small, figurative, bronze pieces in the show this time. The show starts this Saturday ( June 8- July 7). This show was open to all Guild members and open to all art mediums.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am definitely a risk taker. That’s what feeds my creative juices. It also keeps my work interesting
Trying new ideas or using new techniques or materials is challenging! It stretches me. It makes artwork exciting!
Pricing:
- My work in the gallery sells from $35 – hundreds
- Classes at the school very depending on how many classes and class supplies. But they try hard to keep classes affordable
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kws.arts
