I dug this one up to show my son and I thought it would be fun to add to my blog! I made this in Animation 1 in college. I am still interested in the same themes and have the same sketching style haha.
I had so much fun at Kalamazoo’s Art Hop on April 2nd, 2021! The first in-person event in over a year! I cannot believe it. I felt the Arts Council of Kalamazoo did a wonderful job, safely introducing us back to the world! I want to thank them for their kindness, and for thinking of me to be included in the show. It feels good to be back!
Wait until the end! She has a surprise addition that will make you gasp!
Alexa Karabin
The Nest
Handmade Watercolor, Deer Hair, Rubies, 24k Gold Leaf, Geodes, Glass on Panel
20''x20''
$6,000
Statement for the Nest:
First, there was the Deer. A painting that was inspired by an incident that involved a deer that was shot on my property, and the subsequent months that followed, watching the animal return to the earth. When only fur was left, I collected some, but left most of it. The day after I collected the fur, a giant oak tree fell on where the body once rested. Months later, in early spring, the pandemic had started and I spent more than a month inside. Scared. Finally, I forced myself to go outside and explore the woods. And that is when I found it. A bird had made a nest out of deer fur! The Deer’s fur. This piece was inspired by the feelings I had at that moment of discovery.
Using a variety of techniques, I create artworks that explore themes of natural history, historical occurrence, memory, and cycles. My materials are found and handmade—my most precious material is my grandmother’s antique jewelry that I crush and use to make handmade watercolors. This piece also includes rubies, emeralds, 24k gold, deer fur, geodes, and glass.
I am part of a wonderful, exciting exhibition called Equinox at Ninth Wave Studio.
“This exhibition was curated by artists Maryellen Hains and Anna Z ILL who invited artists to create new mixed media artwork to consider the topic of the Equinox by reflecting on balance, planetary movement and/or biological and emotional equilibrium.”
Participating Artists: Mindi Bagnall, Maryellen Hains, Brent Harris, Anna Z ILL, Alexa Karabin, Courtney S. Nelson, Sniedze Janson-Rungis, Linda Rzoska, Nancy Stroupe, Randy Walker
Showing September 8 through November 21, 2020.
Equinox: Day
24k Gold, Broken Glass, 3 Moths, Antique Beads, Mixed-Media
Equinox: Night
Handmade Paint, Broken Glass, Antique Beads, A Cicada, Mixed-Media
This was originally posted in 2017
This is my first video! This painting was made with ink, salt, alum, and silver leaf. I love the process of making these pieces, so this is my attempt to share my love of the process. The song is Waltz in A minor by Chopin, performed by Aya Higuchi. It is a special song to me because Chopin is my favorite composer, and I have performed this song at several performances (back in the day). Thank you for viewing. Please note, this artwork has sold.