karen blackerby

Interior Renderings

Karen Blackerby — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:13:06 +0000

Last week I did some perspective renderings for WKArchitects, an architecture firm based in Boston. Below are two different views for the Lobby and Reception Area of the space they are designing.

To see more of my work please visit my website at karenblackerby.com

Florian Nicolle

Karen Blackerby — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:51:02 +0000

I was thrilled when I came across the incredible collection by Florian Nicolle‘s. He has a wonderful technique of layering different medias, combining energetic and raw linework with newspaper, ink, paint, and digital retouching. Check out his process on Behance.

{via Colossal}

Lauren Kussro

Karen Blackerby — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:59:05 +0000

While researching barnacles for my next painting I came across the wonderfully talented artist, Lauren Kussro. Her work is so delicate and intricate yet embodies a delightful sense of playfulness.

This piece is made out of silkscreened paper and wood.

These panels are gorgeous! Made from Chinese mulberry… Lauren hand cut the pattern using an x-acto knife.

Check out Lauren Kussro‘s blog to see more of her amazing creations.

Aimee Mullins _ What an Inspiration!

Karen Blackerby — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:04:24 +0000

“Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can have. It’s much sexier than any body part . “Aimee Mullins.

The other day I came across an article about Aimee Mullins, the amazing Athlete /Model / Actress / Superwomen and the latest L’oreal Paris spokesperson. Listening to her story literally gave me the chills. It is absolutely remarkable what she has accomplished in her lifetime this far!

Aimee is best known for becoming the first amputee in history, male or female, to compete in the NCAA, at Georgetown’s Division I track team. She was outfitted with woven carbon-fiber prostheses that were modeled after the hind legs of a cheetah. She went on to set World Records in the 100 meter, the 200 meter, and the long jump..

Aimee became a muse to Alexander McQueen ,walking the runway in his London show using intricately carved wooden prosthetics.

And those are just to name a couple of her amazing accomplishments. I highly recommend watching the links below to learn more about this amazing woman!

Aimee Mullins: How my legs give me super powers – YouTube

Making-of Aimee Mullins – YouTube

{via Studio Thirsty Crow}

Stefanie Nieuwenhuyse

Karen Blackerby — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:03:34 +0000

Sometimes I come across designs that are so inspirational to me that I literally jump for joy…my mind races and instantly I have a desire to create. Today that occurred when I happened upon the work of Stefanie Nieuwenhuyse.

The first thing that caught my eye was the title of her series, Biomimicry. I fell in love with the teachings of biomimicry at design school. My junior and senior projects were based on those principles. I designed the building and interiors for a Biomimicry Guild in Montana my junior year and a floating school in Vietnam my senior year, both incorporating biomimicry elements within the buildings’ exterior and interior design.

In turn, I immediately opened Stephanie’s website and voila…stunning, incredibly beautiful, and innovative pieces! Scroll below and see for yourself!

{via MoCo Loco}

I absolutely love seeing the process of this series…from the drawings to the final product!! Each step is so beautiful.

(images via Stefanie Nieuwenhuyse}

Daniel Kornrumpf

Karen Blackerby — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:16:33 +0000

Incredible embroidered portraits by Daniel Kornrumpf.

I am astounded by the intricacy and intimacy of these pieces! The thread creates an expression reminiscent of Van Gogh’s brush strokes. I love how the portrait floats on the canvas!

hand embroidered on linen

50″ x 44″

(images via Colossal}

Ben Tours

Karen Blackerby — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:37:02 +0000

Happy New Year!

I love setting goals for the new year. It is a fun way to think big and to aspire to make yourself a better person, a better wife, a better artist…it also makes you think about what you want to accomplish in the upcoming year on a daily basis or through a gradual process. A couple of the art goals on my list this year are: go to figure drawing class at least twice a month and sketch at least 10 minutes a day.

Ben Tour‘s figure drawings are an inspiration to me. I love his loose yet realistic style through the use of ink and watercolor. I’m excited to get drawing!

Have fun with your new years resolutions!

{via thetourshow}

Nick Gentry

Karen Blackerby — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:42:02 +0000

My brother introduced me to the paintings of Nick Gentry, a UK-based artist. I love artwork that incorporates repurposed every day objects. It creates a deeper connection to the work, while allowing the audience to see the object from an entirely different perspective. Gentry does an excellent job of taking the floppy disk, an obsolete media, and morphing it into a beautiful piece of art!

{images via Nick Gentry’s Photostream}

What was old is new again…

Karen Blackerby — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 15:39:02 +0000

I think we all have pieces of clothing that we never wear but keep around for some particular reason. This green jacket is case in point. I never wore it; it was way too big on me but for some reason it hung around. After 14 years of being idle, I dusted it off and decided to try my hand at transforming an existing piece. My first take at a “what was old IS new again” experiment.

BEFORE

AFTER

The belt front was originally around the wrists.

The back of the belt was originally the collar.

I think it was a success! That green jacket is now back in the front of my closet.

Handmade Objects

Karen Blackerby — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 22:47:55 +0000

Tree Trunk Stool or Side Table

This past spring, a maple tree had to be cut down in my parents backyard. We were able to salvage 4 pieces from the trunk and Derek turned them into stools/side tables for the patio. I love them!

“Where ever we roam you are my home” Globe

Both Derek and I love to travel. For our wedding I made him a globe that is representative of where we have traveled together. The piece will constantly evolve based on our new destinations that we visit or live. The countries/states that we have experienced together are painted in green. Hopefully one day our entire world will be painted in green!

Driftwood Sculpture

This summer we explored on our kayaks to some really cool and remote beaches around the island. We found amazing pieces of driftwood along the way. I was planning on making a few of these sculptures for the buffet table for our wedding but time caught up with me and I never got around to it until just a few weeks ago.