Investigating and making, exploring, evaluating and developing work, increasing knowledge and understanding of materials and techniques – these are always part of how Karen's own artwork is created and these approaches are incorporated into the workshops.  Techniques are demonstrated and examples of how a variety of materials can be used are provided, participants can choose to use the same materials used in the demonstration or investigate using their own selection.  Wrapping, stitching, knotting and other methods are used to join materials, but seldom glue or sellotape.  Hand tools are available to use and instructions provided on their use taking into consideration heath and safety. In preparation for the workshops a list of suitable materials to collect will be provided, which can be recycled and reused during the activity.  In addition further waste materials will be supplied to ensure that a wide selection and sufficient quantities are available.

• Recycled Materials
  Workshops which encourage people to reassess the materials which they throw away. An array of wonderful colours, textures and shapes, which can be put together to make exciting artworks. After one of these workshops, “rubbish” will be seen for its exciting possibilities.
• Outdoor Workshops
  Completed artwork can be hung in trees or attached to hedges, materials used are waterproof and construction processes will withstand most weather conditions.  These can take place inside and the artwork can be placed outside.
• Nylon Workshops
  This nylon is a sheet material, which can be dyed to produce subtle or vibrant colours. I use two methods to colour nylon – resist-dying using readily available materials as resists or painting/printing with dyes and using a heatpress. The workshops can involve either and will have quite different effects.

Arts Award
Karen is an Arts Award Adviser for Bronze and Silver levels.  The Arts Award is for young people aged 11 - 25 years old and is about enjoying the arts through improving their own skills, seeing the work of other artists and running their own arts project.  The three levels of the Arts Award are equivalent to levels 1, 2 and 3 on the National Qualifications Framework.

For further information go to: http://www.artsaward.org.uk/

Karen's studio base is in Norwich, Norfolk, however art workshops can be provided in other areas of the UK.