Karen Monson-Thompson

medium: textiles

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First Star 2008 Textiles	Four Squares 2009 Textiles	Pinetrees in the Shadows 2007 Textiles
Fernery Window 2009 Textiles	Prairie Squares 2008 Textiles	Prairie Blocks with Pinetrees 2008 Textiles

Contact information
2608 E 6th St.
Superior, WI 54880
Phone Number: 715-398-5970
Email Address: kmtweaver@aol.com
Fax number: 715-398-5970
Web site: www.summerwinterstudio.com

Artist statement
Textiles that are functional, basic in design, vibrant with color and have a distinctive texture, that's what I create! My table linens and small coverlets are woven in the reversible summer and winter weave structure. First out of necessity, then realizing it was an integral part of my design process, I spin and dye my own wool yarns to weave over multiple shades of fine cotton threads. The weave structure is perfect for blending the warp and weft colors, and even though I start out fairly rigid in design and color, each piece begins to dictate its own direction to the end. I’m fascinated with the geometrics, and my current design influences are from Prairie, Mission, and Arts & Crafts styles and patterns. The pine tree motif often seen in old coverlets is and always will be one of my favorite motifs, one that I will continue to explore and incorporate in my work. Designed to work well in both traditional and contemporary settings, my artwork is constructed individually, with utmost attention to detail and craftsmanship. I’m fortunate that weaving is both my profession, and my passion.

Biography
I first became interested in weaving in grade school on a field trip to the local museum in Dearborn, Mich. I was fortunate to have a 7th grade art teacher who was a weaver and allowed me to learn and explore on a 4-harness table loom. From there, I received my B.A. from Central Michigan University, and my M.A. from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, both in Textile Design. Since 1989, as a studio artist, I have exhibited at numerous art fairs, taught weaving, and lectured on historical weave structures. In addition, over the past 18 years, I served as the art fair coordinator for the Park Point Art Fair, Duluth International Folk Festival, and Duluth Art Fair at the Depot in Minnesota. In 2008, I started the first fine art and craft fair in Superior, which will take place again this year in November.