ARTIST STATEMENT

LIMOGES, JEWELRY & UNIQUE CREATIONS

I have been working with enamels for over thirty years and have been introduced
to several different techniques as an apprentice in Vienna. I found Limoges
the most suitable technique to “paint” with enamels. Each piece is still as challenging
and interesting as the first and I keep it that way by making each a one-of-a-kind creation.

I specialize in animal and human portraiture and landscapes inspired by
my travels to near and far away places. I work from my own photographs when ever
possible and create an exact drawing with pencil before I start the enamel piece.

To create my Limoges I start with a metal base of copper, which I prefer over
other metals, apply with a brush many layers of transparent, opalescent
and opaque enamels (wet pack). Between layers I incorporate fine silver and
pure gold foils, paillons and in some cases gold leaf. I finish by applying painting
enamels (mixed with clear firing oils) with a crow-quill pen for the very fine
details and outlines. Each piece has about fifteen firings at 1200 – 1800.

My husband Wolfgang will then create a hand fabricated setting for the Limoges. We have
been working together for the last ten years and we collaborate on each design
and the materials to be used.

Among other gems we often like to use opals because of the great depth
and colors much like enamels, many of them are like paintings in them self
and we feel they compliment my Limoges.

New York’s Aaron Faber Gallery and The Light Opera in San Francisco are
some of the galleries that show her work. She has participated in the second
and sixth annual “International Juried Enamel Exhibit” sponsored by the Northern
California Enamel Guild and in the Enamellist Society’s international juried
exhibition: “Tradition and Transformation: Enamels ’97 “. The San Carlos Fine
Arts Association has honored Karin’s work. Karen L. Cohen has featured her
enamel work in the recently published book “The Fine Art of Enameling”.

I strive to create small treasures that you or yours will cherish for a lifetime.