karen

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Karen began her journey to a career as a professional artist with education in fashion design and the visual arts. But journeys always seem to twist and turn a bit. Karen's love has come to be here in the realm of fabric art with a forte in the use of colour.

     In 1990 Karen Brodie Designs was formed in Vancouver, B.C. Karen started out custom sewing and mass producing a gift line. The first commissions in Liturgical Art presented themselves at this time. Since then, Karen has been commissioned extensively by professionals, clergy, and churches of many denominations to create unique fabric artwork.

     In 1995, Karen premiered her custom designed work in exhibition at Regent College's Gallery in Vancouver, B.C. At that time, she launched a Limited Edition set of stoles for the seasons of the church year, which have been sold throughout North America. These stoles, although shown on this site under Gallery of Commissions, are nearing sold out status.

   In 1997, Karen moved her business to the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Golden, B.C. to pursue a life with her husband, Michael Archibald. At this time she also exhibited in the art show of the meeting of General Council of the United Church of Canada. Karen was commissioned in 1999 to design a stole to be worn by the President of B.C. Conference of the United Church of Canada.

   Since 2001, Karen has created a new line of stoles. This line has been inspired by an interesting written account of a year live in faith called "Things Seen and Unseen" by Nora Gallagher. In addition to this new line, Karen continues to be commissioned to create custom antependia for the pulpit and lectern, stoles, wall hangings, communion table frontals and various other ecclesiastical designs. During the past year, Karen has been inspired to create custom artworks depciting individuals' lives in wall hanging form for home use. Look for an exhibition in the near future of her secular, but faith-based art.

     When asked about the process of designing, Karen believes she becomes a vessel for stories, symbols, traditional elements, movement and emotion. Karen feels that no matter what areas she may work in, or who she may work with, her art will portray a sense of spirituality and awe for God and creation. Her own faith is molded and shaped as she more deeply understands God working through her. Karen believes it is a part of her job, as the artist, to draw this depth and meaning from the people she works with. This becomes the inspiration for her art.

"I open myself to each new expression, new perspective to portray, and new inspiration"