Kara Muise: Fiber Artist Extraordinare

Nest, 2008


Solitary, 2008



I am thoroughly impressed with the results of Kara's artistic journey this semester. It started out with a few sheets of paper that she dyed with tea and covered with wax. A small experiment. The next thing you know, she was making little houses out of the material. And then - POOF! - she's built huge structures and installations with them. She's sewn them together to construct the pieces you see above. She also created a sprawling village of miniature houses. The texture is very inviting - its warm color and encaustic-like smoothness emit a kind of serenity. The subjects, though, are about solitude. I think it could be "intentional solitude." An only child thing, possibly. She hasn't shared her concepts with me yet.

Kara's work is currently on display at UMass Dartmouth, Start Store, 715 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. Exhibit ends May 13th. Check it out!