ARTIST STATEMENT
Exploring materials and techniques has been a driving interest throughout my art career. Though I began as a traditional artist applying paint to flat surfaces, I soon developed a unique process of weaving my own deconstructed paintings into textural, dimensional constructions. Since discovering encaustic, I’ve utilized the translucent and adhesive qualities of unpigmented encaustic medium to layer paper lines or other shapes or materials on panel to achieve visual intrigue. Now my encaustic journey has taken a side path exploring encaustic monotype printmaking. My encaustic monotype explorations thus far have enriched my collage fodder collection…and occasionally I pull a frame-worthy print.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Karen Tichy is a Chicago-based abstract mixed media artist known for her encaustic and paper line paintings. She comes from a visual design background that is evident in her work. After receiving an MS in Visual Communication from the Institute of Design, IIT, in Chicago, she worked as an interface designer in Boston. There, she also began painting and exploring a variety of media. After returning to her native Chicago in 2008, she established a studio/gallery in the Fine Arts Building, where she continues to develop her work through continued experimentation with a variety of media. She has been incorporating encaustic medium with her deconstructed materials since 2009. She exhibits her work in juried and invited shows across the U.S. and internationally. Karen served on the leadership committee of the Fine Arts Building Studios Collective, where she established public exhibition spaces and continues to curate art exhibitions.
© Karen Tichy