karen rhodes studio

Portrait of Catherine

2008-05-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

I've heard that finding feathers can mean a spirit is trying to communicate with you from the other side. Feathers seem to just find their way to me. I have quite a collection of them sitting in a little bowl on my coffee table. Are they little messages, I like to think so.

2008-05-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Earth Angel

digital photo manipulation

This digital montage combines a photo I took of a purple iris, a vintage nun, and various photoshop brushes. My goal was to limit my palette to only the colors within the original picture of the iris. I think she's heavenly.

Make Art Everyday The Digital Way

2008-05-09T22:26:00.000-07:00

Making art everyday is not a choice for me. If I don't create something the images will run through my brain and keep me awake all night. Getting up to my studio is not always an option. By the time I'm ready to start it's time to stop, frustrating to say the least. I've been experimenting with photo montage using my own photographs, scans, photoshop brushes, and a Wacom pen. Who knew such a techno process could be so expressive. A daily dose of Photoshop is the cure for my creative itch, and no mess to clean up.

The following slide show is from my digital sketchbook including some experiments, some doodles, and some finished work.

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-04-26T16:28:00.001-07:00

Metal and Glass Journal

2008-03-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

The best of both worlds metal and collage. Thank you Thomas Ashman for teaching this technique.

Peace where?

2008-03-23T12:12:00.001-07:00

This assemblage is a response to the plight of Tibetan refugees. Persian philosopher Rumi said it best,"Out beyond ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing there is a field. I'll meet you there."

Visit http://unseendharamsala.blogspot.com to see the photographic journals of a diverse group of refugees, and read their stories.

2008-03-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Over fifty gelatin prints in one hour!

2008-03-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Gelatin Printing...Daffodils Live On

2008-03-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the aftermath the of an afternoon of mono printing the process is a bit on the messy side, but a big ole mess never stops me. I was thrilled to incorporate a few of the daffodils growing in my yard. Usually I don't have the heart to pick them, but they were just starting to fade. I can't wait to print with iris.

2008-03-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Enlightenment, mixed media collage

2008-03-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

Ancient Leaves, another cuttle bone cast piece in sterling silver. The pendant and two matching links have a fossilized plant effect. The chain and clasp are hand fabricated.

2008-03-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

New Growth, this cuttle bone cast pendant reminded me so much of the unfurling wood ferns in early spring. The chain was designed to look like seeds about to sprout.

2008-03-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

My latest fascination is cuttle bone casting. The process is simple just carve out a shape from a cuttle bone,( yes the kind sold at pet stores), this is your mold. The really magical part is opening up the bone after you have poured in the molten silver. What you expect is never what you get.

The finished piece is almost reptile like. The texture from the bone transfers to the metal. For an artist like me who works by intuition this a totally FUN.