Art is Happening!

Sept. 7 through October 31 at The Bainbridge Island Library !

Join me for Art Walk , Friday, September 7 from 5 to 8PM – Art will be happening right there and then! I will bring some art supplies … and we will see what happens..!.!

Two of my pieces will be on show for this 2 months long group show of Bainbridge Artists. Part of art sale proceeds will be donated to the library  #supportyourlibrary #supportartists #supportartmaking

Artwork by Karen Chaussabel – Harvest of the Heart XIX – Mixed media on watercolor paper – inks, threads

We have been invited to bring a something that shows our process for the display case at the entrance of the library and I brought a small sketchbook, plus ink! Often the inks bleed through to the next page, as you can see, and I just work in that impression into my new piece!  I could use heavy paper to blot the excess but choose not to to. It takes care of the blank page issue! And it’s part of my “going with the flow” attitude. 🙂

Small sketchbook and ink – Karen Chaussabel

Installation of small works

Heart is what keeps me in the flow, in coherence with what is. I try my best to listen in, and from there I choose material to partner with. The great variety of materials I draw from enables me to have a range of expressions, to be fluid and in tune with them. Making marks with ink, pen or a bar of melting encaustic paint gives me a feel for gesture and movement where I find myself to be free, open, playful. Those are qualities I pay attention to when I create. Pieces of thread that are stitched or collaged on paper also embody playfulness through their shape, placement. They remind me too of the process of connecting and following the thread of inspiration that moves through me.

Heart is what mentors me in the art of movement, movement guided by a balance between being active and letting go. I embrace a sense of unfolding. Using encaustic paint on a hot plate creates pools of molten wax and when I press the paper onto it to create a monotype, colors swirls, blend. Where the encaustic goes, I follow.

Many Fold I – Encaustic Monotype – K. Chaussabel

Many Folds III – Encaustic Monotype – Karen Chaussabel

Many Folds II – Encaustic Monotype – Karen Chaussabel

With my ceramic hearts, I let what touches me guide the shape, size, texture, but ultimately they come into being from being released into the alchemy of fire. And those bits of glass that became pools evoking water remind me how much I just dive in and see where it takes me!

Cradled Hearts Ceramics Hearts

What I see embodied in these pieces today and what is part of my art making experience are those very movements of the heart.  I am touched and grateful for their presence in my art, in my life, as they connect me to a spirited sense of exploring, discovering, being.

Ink and Pencil on Yuppo

Ink and pencil on Yuppo

For more about the my work in ceramic, you can view my Cradled Hearts video .

One-of-a-kind ceramic hearts

Cradled Hearts on stands by Bainbridge Island Wood Artist Steve Trick – The Island Gallery

Greetings Cards featuring my artwork – Available at The Island Gallery – Bainbridge Island, WA

“When the going gets tough may I be quiet. May I steep for a while in stillness.” Katrina Kenison  –  What a lovely invitation.

It takes me back to a time, not long ago, when that was all I could do. It wasn’t easy to come to term with but I am glad that I did let that be the way. In the process I learned and came to a knowing that being present with what is is an active process! It is also a form of self-care, an offer of gentle, kind, support towards oneself.  Like a warm loving hug.

Being Moved Series – K. Chaussabel Mixed Media on paper

Holding our heart, gently, tenderly.

K. Chaussabel

Katrina Kenison’s reflection for On Being with Krista Tippett continues on, beautifully. Here is the link: http://www.onbeing.org/blog/when-the-going-gets-tough/7351?page=1#comment-1632177

This is a link for my post about Stillness, with more images that embody my experience: https://karenchaussabel.com/2012/08/13/stillness/

Exploring!

Showing at the Gallery at Grace   –  February 1 to March 30 –                   8595 Northeast Day Rd., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110                  Phone:(206) 842-9997                                                                                    Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9AM to 4PM & Sunday 8-11AM

Exploring! is the story of an encounter. It is an encounter that took place in the silver mining city of Zacatecas, Zac. Mexico. In the midst of the ruins of Ex-convento San Francisco, now Museum Rafael Coronel, stood before me a majestic specimen of agave americana (century plant, maguey in Spanish). It was large, full of life.

Agave Americana – Zacatecas, Zac., Mexico – Photo Charlie Quinn

I was struck by its presence, its vitality. This plant embodied strength, resilience, rebirth and that spoke to me, deeply. It still does.

This is the starting point for Exploring! I followed this thread of inspiration through different media. I explored form and feeling by printing, painting, stitching on papers of various kinds, with encaustic, ink, fibers. It is a body of work that represents my delight in exploring, tool in hand, heart open.

Stillness. It found me.

It did not feel easy, nor comfortable at the time. It came out of anguish. And one day, it appeared in my work. It’s one of those doodling moment that had a lot to say…

There it was right in front of me. I saw something soft, calm in the image and it brought me comfort. I saw an air of serenity that reassured me, an air of contemplation that invited me in. It really felt like the only way to go, was to step in… and step in I did, and not for just a moment, but for a long while, a long long while. What I found is that it takes discipline to stay in. Stillness is where I find everything. And it’s not so comfortable to be face to face with fears, sorrow, hurt, whatever is. It takes courage to look at what is hard. It takes heart to acknowledge all that is discomfort. It draws me in further…

I

In its midst. I find yet another way in. Surrender. Surrender to what is. That, I am finding out also takes resilience. Lots.

Staying in stillness takes discipline and in that discipline I found the art of cultivating patience. I came across an article that spoke of patience as “an active state.” I completely agree. There is a lot happening in stillness, more than what meets the eye…
I find it’s place where being compassionate and tender towards myself is being supportive.

It’s the cradle where I can honor what is, release with kindness what no longer serves me.

Stillness, it’s a safe place to honor, cherish and release what is.

And in that journey, a transformation takes place.

An opening of the heart.

Making space. Making way for the new to step out.

Vibrant. Renewed.

Lighter. Open larger to life, in and out

Stillness. It’s the space for embracing all of what I am, for letting patience guide me gently. It’s the fertile ground for growth, for finding the blessings in the winter in my heart and soul. Stillness is the vessel from which new growth sprouts forth.