Michele Mokrey
“ Beach Buddies ” | Karen Straight
“ My nana taught me crocheting and embroidery , but it was the fiber arts community here in the Flathead that played a pivotal role in my artistic development .” - Karen Straight also taught weaving as an occupational therapy to veterans of World War II . Her “ Shuttle Craft Bulletins ” are still referenced and used by weavers today . She sold this business to another Montana woman , Harriet Tidball , who also taught weaving at the Montana Division of Rehabilitation of the Blind and was an instructor at Montana State University . Having studied and benefited from the efforts of artists like these , Grove states , “ These weavers lived and studied internationally . It is an honor to be a part of their weaving tradition .”
Karen Straight runs “ Big Sky Fiber Arts ” out of Kalispell , Montana . Much of her work and process is dedicated to animal welfare and appreciating the natural beauty of Montana since she moved there in 2010 . “ Surrounded by the beauty of the area and the amazing wildlife , I embraced the opportunity to explore art . I am thoroughly enjoying this new stage of my life , turning my interest in animal welfare towards my artistic creations .”
Karen uses wool to needle felt very large and beautifully realistic paintings . “ My felted paintings are made entirely with fiber that has been felted into place with a barbed needle . I often use bits of wool that are not more than a few millimeters to create detail . Needle felting is simultaneously painterly and sculptural . The very nature of wool lends itself to realism , texture , and twodimensional and three-dimensional works of art , leaving the opportunity open for the incorporation of unexpected elements . I use a variety of fibers , from tussah silk , merino , and yak to curly bits of fleece .”
The final product doesn ’ t stop at a finished fiber painting either . Her paintings come framed , and considering each frame is specially sourced and created for its piece , they certainly count as part of the work . “ My spouse makes frames for each of my pieces from local wood , often with a live edge . I love how the art becomes a blend of the two of us and the local wood situates my subjects within the environment in which they live .”
Karen says she was greatly influenced and supported by the fiber arts community of
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