Karen Gayle Tinney is an artist and designer whose work consists of pieces that combine ceramic and fiber, drawing inspiration from the interplay of the materials. Within her work, the two materials never live alone, relying on each other for structure and completeness. The fiber components are incorporated where the ceramics leave off; completing the shape or acting as the physical connection between incomplete parts.
Each piece is meticulously crafted by the artist in her studio; some pieces taking months to fully complete.
Karen studied product design at Parsons School of Design and worked professionally as a home decor designer for several years before pursuing her own work full time, establishing the business in 2016.
In 2021, Karen’s husband Josh Temple joined the business as studio manager. Josh handles day to day operations in the studio and assists in production. They work together out of their home studio in Vermont’s scenic Okemo Valley.
THE STUDIO & PROCESS:
All of Karen’s ceramics are built using a combination of slab and coil building to create their organic shapes. Glaze is hand painted to create a finished surface rich with depth and texture.
The fiber components are applied directly to the ceramic base. While she uses a wide range of fiber techniques including braids and fringe, Karen is most known for her use of a coiling technique that is traditional to basketry. She has been dedicated to mastering this technique for nearly 10 years, enabling the creation of complex, sinuous shapes. Her masterful weaving results in a surprisingly rigid structure out of the soft material.
