Karen Freeman - Artist Statement

Copper Metal & Barn Wood, Calgary, AB

Karen lives and works from her studio in Calgary, Alberta. Raised on a multi-generational homestead, her one-of-a-kind art is inspired by prairie landscapes and allure of the countryside.

Karen’s enjoyment of art comes from experimenting with different mediums. Currently working with copper, each piece created is individually designed and hand-cut using tin snips. A mixture of chemicals is added to the surface creating a beautiful turquoise patina. The image is then placed on barn board that has been salvaged mostly from century-old, barns, corrals,granaries and fences from ranches or farms in the foothills of Alberta.

The natural beauty of knots, knot holes, grain, wood worm tracks, saw marks, lichen and furrow depicted in the wood, are all a result of age and exposure to the elements.