Karen McCarthy creates her mixed media collage constructions in her Arlington, MA studio. Karen received her BFA in fibers from Massachusetts College of Art and has been exhibiting her work in galleries and museums throughout the United States for over 35 years.

Her work is included in various private and public collections, including Marriott Hotel, Meditech, Fidelity Investments, Babson College, Waukesha Memorial Hospital (WI), Newton Memorial Hospital (NJ), and bostonbaskin cancer group (TN).


Artist Statement:

As a collage artist I revel in taking similar or disparate parts and melding them into something which didn�t exist before. Throughout the processes I use I am observing interactions of color, light and movement. I compose my collage constructions with great care, rearranging and further editing until every element feels like it�s fulfilling its role. Attention to detail, for me, is vital.
Most of my artwork explores the interconnectedness of humankind and the natural world.
I fabricate my own collage materials, implementing painting and printmaking methods (paste paper printing, gelatin plate printing, stenciling, manipulation of acrylic mediums, etc.) which allow for a gradual and incremental buildup of imagery. I choose techniques which can result in a wide range of textural effects and moods, with varying degrees of transparency and depth. By layering the imagery and the elements, I can play with revealing and concealing, and further explore the mysteries that develop from these new combinations.
There are often references to the landscape and other natural forms in my work. Inspiration derives from a range of influences�from the engaging details of Italian Renaissance masters' panel paintings, to otherworldly rock formations I have encountered in the American Southwest, to the abiding dualities of nature and cityscape that I observe on daily walks. I draw from this pool of varied sources. My background in fiber continuously influences and inspires my approach to artmaking.