In this blog we interview artist Karen Stamper from Cambridge, UK
What’s your background?
Traveller, Art teacher, Artist
How long have you been an artist?
All my life, I travelled and worked, with my sketchbooks for 10 years. Greece Turkey, Caribbean, New Zealand
How have you developed your career?
I have always made and sold my work, even when teaching full time. Ten years ago I moved to part time then last year I stopped, I just didn’t have time to go in! I did magazine editorial work and book covers when I lived in New Zealand. Member of Cambridge Open Studios for 15 years. I now sell through Art Fairs and a few galleries.
Where do you create your work?
In my garden studio, 8x16 ft. When I step out my partner steps in, to practice his saxophone!
What techniques / mediums do you use?
Found and painted paper collage, acrylic paint and drawing with mixed media
Which is more important to you, the subject of your painting, or the way it is executed?
The process is very important, I get totally absorbed by the joy of paint and paper and the marks I can make, and how difficult it is to make them exciting!
What project are you working on now?
A series of 30 x 30 wooden panels, just for me to really experiment and push the materials.
Any current or up-coming exhibitions?
Society of Women Artists in the Mall Galleries 24-29th Sept. Windsor Contemporary Art Fair 8-10th November
Where do you find your ideas for your work?
In docks, harbours, boatyards, foreign countries, buildings, distressed surfaces, dramatic shapes.
Is there an artwork you are most proud of? Why?
It is usually the last one. As artists we are constantly pushing the limits to find new colour combinations/compositions, so the last one is the freshest.
How do you know when a work is finished?
I can just feel it, sometimes it just feels right and ready ( Some do not, and they linger on…)
What is your most important artist tool? Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?
Oh difficult! Acrylic mediums, scratching tools – an old compass and a rake head! Scissors, found papers..
To see more of Karen's work visit: www.karenstampercollage.com
