We were lucky to catch up with Karen Williams Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Karen Williams thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

When I was young I played in the garden with tiny paperdolls I made myself. I always imagined they were life-like, three dimensional figures. Hiding in my imagination was a desire to sculpt these little figures. That desire incubated in my brain for many, many years.

Time passed, life continued and I got married. In 1980 i had four small children under the age of 6. Life was crazy but that old desire to sculpt tiny, life-like figures still niggled in the back of my head. So I decided to teach myself how to accomplish my dream.

I started making my own clay by mixing white bread and white glue. My models were pictures from magazines. My tools were whatever I could find in my home. I had no formal art training. I simply had a strong desire to sculpt realistic, human figures. I used thread or embroidery floss for hair. My first pieces were pretty crude. I wasn’t disappointed. I was excited. I was finally on my way to making my dream reality.

Eventually I discovered the miniature world and found tools, clay and miniature supplies that were downsized for small sculptures. I was thrilled! I bought anatomy books. I made files with photos from magazines of different poses to help with muscle placement. I started to sculpt life-like fairies and mermaids in environments under glass domes. In the process I realized I was not a miniaturist. There were too many rules of scale in the miniature world. I realized I was a “proportionist”. If I wanted to put a fairy on a duckling or a dragonfly I wanted to be unrestricted with my size.

I took a chance I started sculpting tiny figures that touched my heart.

Since 1980 I have explored a wide variety of mediums,sizes, and techniques. I am always pushing my skills and trying new challenges. I’ve been told so many times over the years that an artist should stick to one medium and develop one style. I can see the wisdom in that. But I crave more freedom.

I followed my own path. As I nurtured my artistic skills I had ideas that included other mediums and sizes. There is comfort in sticking to the same medium and style. I am continually taking a risk when I try something new. However, I’ve been blessed with collectors who have continued to love my artistic exploration.

I’m grateful I have been able to continue to “color outside the lines” artistically..

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always been creative. I have a deep appreciation for any opportunity that lets me learn and solve creatively.

I started out with a realistic, figurative sculpting career that took me into the One-Of-A-Kind doll world. I love mixed media. The doll world was more to my liking than bronze because it made me consider so many more things with each sculpture. My artwork didn’t move. It was more like a sculpture but much warmer.

I started out with small work; under 6 inches. Then I graduated to 8-10 inch pieces. I did national and international shows and became very well known in that art world.

Unexpected circumstances of needing to stay home to help my husband with a health issue caused me to go an entirely different direction. I started an art business that incorporated rocks.

Covid hit and once again my artistic direction changed. All the art shows closed. I discovered a gallery that remained open in Fallbrook Art Center, CA. The Art Center gallery has different shows throughout the year. It allows me to show a wide variety of artwork. I also started teaching at the Fallbrook School of the Arts..

Over the years I have discovered that no matter what I make artistically my collectors find peace and joy in my work. It brings a bit of light to a troubled world. That is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy creating.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Several times in my artistic career I have had to pivot and go an entirely new direction.

I became quite well known for my figure sculpting. I had diligently climbed the mountain from self-taught sculptor to successful artist. I was showing my work in shows nationally and internationally.

Then my husband had a health issue and he needed me at home as a caregiver. I’ve always sold my work best when I am at the shows. I could no longer travel to the shows.

Caregiving requires a lot of energy. I knew I needed to balance my life with art in order to continue to have the energy to help my husband without going nuts. So in desperation one afternoon I prayed for a solution. I actually heard an unexpected word in my head after my prayer. Rocks!

Since I was a small child I had always loved rocks. Over the years I had discovered I could see images in stones. I had been outlining what I saw in stones with permanent markers for years. I gave them away to other artists as “remember me” gifts. I had artists all over the world caring my stones.

Hearing “rocks” after my prayer wasn’t totally strange to me. I already loved rocks. But as I contemplated what I could do artistically with rocks I was surprised at the ideas that came to mind. I went from a career of sculpting realistic figures to an artistic career with stones. I put stones, minerals and fossils in canvas paintings. I hung them in chains with wire and beads. I sculpted ceramic pieces that included rocks and minerals that have healing qualities, I made jewelry with stones. I still outline what I see on stones. I found there is a huge collector base.

I went from sculpting the human form to an art business with stones. The challenge of a new artistic direction is an emotional jump. But life is exciting and never dull.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Ah, Covid. It was an interesting time for artists. Shows closed. Galleries closed. What to do to scratch an artistic itch?

I discovered Fallbrook, CA. I only live 30 minutes or less depending on traffic from this little town. I’d been there once before Covid but I found it again one afternoon. The Fallbrook Art Center gallery in town was still open. Of course everyone was wearing masks and only so many people could be in the galley at once. I asked if they were taking new artists. They said I could apply on the website for the judged shows throughout the year. Interesting! Different shows. That was right up my artistic alley. I did different kinds of artwork.

As I stood by the desk at the gallery that first day I heard the gal talk to another lady about the Fallbrook School of the Arts just down the street. My interest was peaked. I asked for directions.

Within minutes I was getting a tour of the school. I was impressed and asked if they had someone teaching figurative sculpting. The answer was “no” but they would love to offer that to their students.

Since that afternoon I have been teaching at the school and selling a variety of artwork in the gallery in town. Sometimes when things look darkest something unexpected happens that makes you smile.

Contact Info:

• Website: Karenwilliamssmith.com & touchstoneartwork.comcom
• Instagram: @Kws.arts