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Karen might be called unorthodox, and coming from what would appear at first sight to be a rather mainstream profession, that of a lawyer, I quickly came to understand that her views are indeed unique, perhaps even revolutionary. “I put myself through law school fixing cars”, says Karen. With two college degrees in literature, she taught English for a while. Then while US politics were fermenting during her time as a law student, Karen says that she found herself a drug free hippie, doing revolutionary work. But after her years of law, she found it was time to quit and find a home for her lifelong interest in the arts. In 1998, a friend showed her how to carve some soapstone. “I said wow, this is what I really want to do. So I never looked back. When I was looking for instruction, I went to Stone Sculptors Supplies in Escondido. They had a teacher called Ante Morinovic, who later became one of my dearest and best friends, and who became my teacher.”
After a few years as a student, Karen and her partner decided it was time to retire. They bought the business lock stock and barrel, and moved it to their country home in Guerneville. After she bought the business, Karen decided
to buy directly from the Milani Company in Italy. Since then, Karen and her partner Patricia have formed a lasting friendship with the Milani family. “We have developed a wonderful relationship with one of the finest families in Italy,” says Karen. At the same time they developed a relationship with the Cuturi Factory. They now personally pick the tools they sell through their store. As well, they developed a new business relationship with stone suppliers in the Pietra Santa and Voltaire areas. Again they personally handpick the stones that they import into the U.S.
“We have the top-of-the-line everything”, says Karen.”I’m a stone carver, so it made sense that I buy the company, so that I could have the stone I wanted and the tools I wanted.” I asked Karen what it was like to juggle so much in her life. “I’m disciplined. It’s a busy life”, says Karen, “but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Karen’s online store can be found at
www.stonesculptorssupplies.com
Bruce Shippee, January 2011 (Withywindle Gallery)
Sculptor Morinovic instructing carving workshop
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