By Joe Barr
We first learned of Karen when she emailed Expose Kenosha.
“I am an artist that lives in Kenosha County and was not aware of a vibrant and active arts community.”
I emailed Karen, and later called her. Her enthusiasm for her art was contagious, and she was eager to share and learn with other artists.
Joe: Hi Karen. We just met, and I know very little about you. Why don’t you introduce yourself?
Joe: How did you come to email Expose Kenosha, Karen?
That’s why I sent the email. I wanted to be a writer and I said “Hopefully it’s a paying job, because I’m a starving artist”.
Joe: Well… The work is fun, and you would have good company, but the pay…
Joe: Too true. Now your website, www.karensphotoart.com, says you are an artist of many talents. We want to hear about your art, but first, tell us how you came to be where you are.
Even in the corporate world, for a company sponsored animal shelter, I took some pictures, wrote some copy, and created a poster to help raise funds. The shelter loved it. They took it and ran with it. It helped, I believe, to raise more money.
Joe: So you had your photography and writing.
Personally, I found it a tremendous way to express yourself, and a way to get those feelings inside to come out.
I went through a terrible divorce, and you can’t imagine the poetry I wrote about my ex.
(A deep laugh, with a well-earned feeling to it, followed)
Joe: Did you share them with you ex?
It was such a good relief for myself, to be able to write it down, and get it out. On happier occasions, I used my photography and poetry to create collages for such things as retirement functions.
Then I wound up joining poetry.com. It’s there I really honed my skills. Other poets reviewed and critiqued my work. I meet a wonderful lady who mentored me. I am forever grateful for help. I did free verse, acrostic, and really got into haiku and senryu.
Joe: Whoa! For we of limited liberal education, define haiku, please.
Joe: Do you do any other writing?
Joe: Back to your photography, Karen. You started with black and white film. How did you find the transition to digital?
Then I add my poetry to a lot of my artwork. I believe that would be considered Haigu.
Joe: I am very limited in my venues. You seem to have many, Karen.
In addition to your photography and poetry, how else do you express yourself?
Joe: Is most of your work hybrids?
Joe: If you were going to do a piece for your own pleasure, what would the subject be and how would you do it?
Joe: Is there anything I missed?
Joe: You do promotion work?
Joe: And this is your totally objective opinion? Your boyfriend being the “World’s greatest guitar player” and in the band, does not influence you.
They are Awesome?
Karen Griffith, you have been “exposed”
You can learn more about Karen at her website www.karensphotoart.com
Joe Barr was once accused of plagiarism by his High School teacher. He was deeply flattered when he learned what that meant! A technical education and life intervened while his words lay dormant. Of late, he has attempted to resurrect the still synapses and arrange words in a rational and entertaining way. ‘Tis a work in progress.
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[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptJoe: Do you do any other writing? Karen: My poetry is my main writing. Joe: Back to your photography, Karen. You started with black and white film. How did you find the transition to digital? Karen: I got my first digital camera as a … […]
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