Artist Profile: Karol Kusmaul

Karol Kusmaul

Inverness, Florida

1. What kind of challenges did this theme present to you?  I enjoyed this theme, gathering and playing with personal symbols and items meaningful to me.  My piece was challenging because of the varied materials used, and the thickness of the layers I had to hand stitch through. Also challenging was the fact that I only gave myself a few days to get all the applique and hand quilting finished.  Even though I knew about the theme and deadline for a year.  Mea culpa.

2. Describe your studio space? I am so fortunate to have a separate building next to my home.  Skylights, kitchen, bathroom, office space, and a pool – it would make a super mother in law house.  I have room for my 12 foot APQS Millennium.  Hubby wants to downsize, but I’m digging in my heels.

3. Where can people see your work in the next six months? I’ve formed an online international fiber artist group at:  https://www.clothincommon.com   and my website: http://www.kquilt.com and blog:  http://kquilt.blogspot.com/

4. Do you ever work in a series?  If so, what benefits or challenges does this present to you as an artist?  I’ve done series of portraits, figures, still life and landscapes.  The benefits include having work to exhibit, having plenty of teaching samples, working to achieve variety, and having work that plays (or shows) well together.  I also did a series of Journal quilts, which was good, because I had committed to make one a month.  The challenges: getting too comfortable and not wanting to venture elsewhere, not getting stuck in a  rut where your work is predictable.

5. What other activities do you engage in that “feed” your creative energy?  Anywhere I go, my creative energy is fed.  A ballgame, a visit to my dad’s assisted living facility, yoga class, vacation trips, church, a bike ride, even mowing the grass is good meditative time.  I so enjoy the visual treats that are everywhere.