The Art of Karen Poirier-Brode

Welcome to My Page and My Art

Artist's Resume

Artist's Bio

Karen Poirier-Brode lives in Sacramento, CA. She hails from Canada, where she spent her formative years in the Prairies and young adulthood as a student in Montreal. She left Canada for California when her then-husband wanted to move home; he made the idea enticing promising that she would have to drive to the snow.

Karen credits hours exploring the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the many art galleries of that city, helping preserve her sanity during the rigors of her medical education.

She explores various mediums in her work and prefers working with texture in multi-media collages, ceramics, and relief printing. Color and pattern are treasured areas of exploration, watercolor is a recent interest, and photography is another favorite medium.

Most of her current work focuses on the human face and form. Karen says, “I draw on personal and family experiences for my art, but often I make art for art’s sake. I attempt to maintain a sense of humor in all areas of life. I occasionally like a humorous twist in a piece.”

A career as an OBGYN physician, a love of writing, and a passion for the broadcast interview are background elements to this lifelong learner's full, vibrant, and exciting life.

Karen recently served as the Artist in Residence for the American Medical Women’s Association 2020-2021.

She took part in an international exhibit in Korea in 2013 and has exhibited in several Sacramento shows. Karen has studied art at the Los Rios Community Colleges under Emily Wilson, Diane Richey-Ward, Mick Sheldon, Linda Gelfman, and Sarah Mattson.

Artist's Statement

I draw on personal and family experiences for much of my art and enjoy stories in my work. Often I just make art for art’s sake. I attempt to maintain a sense of humor in all life areas and occasionally like a humorous twist in a piece. Most recently, I have explored the human face and figure in my work.

Art:

Books

Matchbox: Rounding the Turn

WASH AIR2020-2021 project for AMWA

The story behind this book, which is the first of three, was about public health measures during the time of Co-Vid 19.

The book is made of 20 Bounty paper towels using single folio signatures with a die-cut "20" on each signature's first page.

The 20 represents wash for 20 seconds, but I like the double meaning of the 20 sheets and the #20 representing the year 2020.

The signatures are bound to a soft backcloth cover by waxed linen thread French-Lock and Kettle stitching.

The Kettle stitches go through the accordion folder Reeves BFK to add strength to the structure.

The cover letters are white Dolce fabric letter Thickers from American Crafts.

Dimensions 6 x 5.75 x 1.25 inches

SIX FEET APART AIR2020-2021 project for AMWA

Six Feet Apart is an accordion-style book on social distancing. Since WASH was white, I chose black for this one with primary colors (my fave color scheme).

I used the transparent polymer background because so many of us are behind shields and glass during the pandemic. The 6ft/2m circles are like the ones we see for queues everywhere. You’ll notice that I chose an imprint of high heels. The love stethoscope seemed the best image for this lady doctor.

The technique is computer-designed images made into decals and stickers applied to the clear plastic. The joins are dyed Tyvek or Satin binding tape.

The covers are leather-look bookbinding paper and marbled endpapers. The cover letters are black Cappuccino Thickers from American Crafts. The dimensions are 9 x 11 x 0.8 inches.

Preliminary Work on "My Life is Laundry" Book

Two views of French Lock/Kettle Stitch Book
Ingres paper, CAVE paper cover, waxed linen thread, cotton tapes

French Lock and Kettle Stitch

Ingres paper, cork cover, waxed linen thread, cotton tapes

Hat Trick Book

Commercial Felt Pennants, felt tab piano-hinge binding, Small commercial hockey sticks
waxed linen thread, washi tape, Thickers by American Crafts title