Karen .Miller Thomas

This is my first :attempt at
a menorah," says metalsmith
Karen Miller Thomas, of Ann
Arbor. - Iris really kind of a tra-
ditional theme, simplified. A
functional piece that is creative
and unique." The piece, which
Thomas says is "pretty straight
forward soldering," is con-
structed of brass rod. To
achieve the desired color she
used patina.
"I like the challenge of doing
something that people are going
to use. I love working with
metal. It's something that I
pretty much have control over,
says Thomas, who has been
doing metal work for the past
30 years. A former professor ar
the Center for Creative Studies,
in Detroit, Thomas received a
Bachelor of Fine Arts from
Michigan Stare University,
and a Master of Fine Arts
Artist and met-
from Cranbrook
lsmith Karen
Academy, in Bloomfield
Thomas
uses
Hills. Her recent exhibi-
bee
metal
—
tions include, "The Chair
1217)0i-ice
medium
Show" a national exhibi-
—for these
tion in Asheville, NC,
menorahs.
and "Michigan
Metalsmithing 1998"
the Birmingham
Bloomfield Art Center.
She is also Vice President
and program chairperson
for the Michigan
Silversmiths Guild.
Thomas, who works
from a home studio to
converted carport) says
that :he most difficult part of her work is the •Ut..::gn and research in coming up ,
w:th something she wants to make. "It depends on what I'm doing. Sometimes
it can take months. Other times days." Thomas admits that with every pies
there is "always some kind of mental and emotional struggle that you go
through." When she's working on a project, she will tell you that she often 1J ;C
track of time. "Sometimes you are working so hard that you don't realize it's
time to go to bed."
Thomas says she is inspired by sculptor, Louise Nevelson. "I just like her style,
and the fact that she was a really strong woman." Growing up in Midland, she
says it was a junior high school art instructor that was instrumental in pointing
her toward a career in the arts.
Thomas has been working on another project -- miniature chairs (about 8
inches high) that she makes from metal and brass. "Some are whimsical in
-
nature, like cats and dogs. In my latest series, 7. ...se beach stones that I've round.
I like the idea of the whimsical, the fanciful.
So far, Thomas has produced three menorahs and says she plans to do more.

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