KAREN PIERRE
The prophecies of many cultures predict this as a time of great transition between chaos and peace on earth .
I believe the relationship between our environmental problems and the way we live our daily lives with each other, can be understood more deeply by learning of the messages found in ancient wisdom, the Earth herself and the animals we share this planet with.
I hope to help make this connection.
My art began seriously in 1981, after a car accident and a “near death” experience. I had done very little drawing or painting before that. During the months of recovery, I began drawing landscapes, using pen and ink. And at the same time, as a result of the experience, I began to search for a deeper meaning for my existence ..... what was life really about .... why was there so much sadness on this earth.
Books seemed to fall off shelves into my lap: people appeared with information and ideas that I had known only at the edges of my thoughts. Little by little new beliefs began to form and I became interested in the many ways to see our existence in this world.
In the mid 1980's , using ink and colored pencil, I began to draw my beliefs ... wonderful new/ancient wisdom that I could feel was my truth too. I chose, without actually planning to do this at first, American Indian legends and philosophies to illustrate. Unfolding the similarities of the creation and prophecy stories between Native American and other cultures has become very exciting. I am finding that so many of us are longing to live more peaceful lives and to somehow help our communities and world become more peaceful too.
For several years I framed and displayed my art in an old restored mill in a little New Jersey town. I learned to hand cut mats using geometric designs, making them three-dimensional and including beads and other artifacts. It became a “trade-mark” for my collectors. By the late 1980’s I was showing my work at art fairs along the east coast. Then I discovered Gatlinburg Tennessee and soon moved to the mountains. For the next 12 years I maintained a retail gallery where I displayed my work. An art gallery in Asheville, NC carried my art for many years until 2003. I moved to Asheville and opened Cold River Gallery in 2005. My daughter is the new owner of this gallery where I still show my art. Then, in the spring of 2008, I decided to move back to Gatlinburg, TN. and re-open Earthspeak.
In the last few years, my art has taken a new direction as I work with pastel and acrylics and explore the use of brighter color and texture, often painting horses and birds, trees and impressionist Native American themes. I am self taught and have been drawing and painting professionally for more than 25 years.
I believe the relationship between our environmental problems and human hostilities can be understood more deeply from the messages found in ancient wisdom and from the themes found in nature ... and thru this understanding we will find ways to become more personally responsible for making the changes necessary to live peacefully on this earth. This is the basis of my art ... to help make this connection .
EARTHSPEAK
849 Glades Road ~ suite 1C4
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
828-216-7722
Located at the Covered Bridge in the Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Crafts Community.
*** matting info below ***
please call 828-216-7722 for more information
I DESIGN AND HAND-CUT ALL MATTING.
IF DESIRED, I CAN INCLUDE AUTHENTIC OLD TRADE BEADS OR OTHER ARTIFACTS. EACH PIECE IS DESIGNED FOR THE ORIGINAL PAINTING OR PRINT. THE SAMPLES SHOWN BELOW CAN BE MODIFIED IN MANY WAYS TO MAKE EACH PIECE COMPLIMENT THE ART THAT IS CHOSEN.
sample #1 - Walking Between Earth & Spirit
sample #2 ~ Common Heritage
sample #3 ~ Cherokee Pipe