Beans and Cornbread D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
October 2009
Karen Lauseng
Page: 2According to Lauseng's website biography, being raised as one of seven children in the northern Midwest helped her develop "a strong work ethic and great appreciation for mild weather." Her mom was an expert seamstress, from whom this daughter learned to knit, sew, embroider, crochet — and to be a thrifty pack rat. Later, at Kansas State, Lauseng studied studio art and taught numerous college-level courses there and at Cloud County Community College, while developing skills and sensibilities related to her own artwork.
"My objective when I came here," Lauseng recalls, "was to make a living through my art. After arriving, I went through the process of developing a line of work in sterling silver with mokum." But even though she had successfully placed pieces at galleries in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and other large cities, it dawned on Lauseng that she wasn't cut out for "production work" — making pendants, rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings that looked the same — and decided to head off in new directions. (She continues, though, to create some high-quality jewelry that incorporates silver and other precious metals. Some of these pieces are sold at an annual Christmas sale to Lauseng's friends back in Kansas.)
"It became fun for me to make one-of-a-kind pieces that were more whimsical," she allows, "using some very non-traditional items." Lauseng wrote about her new approach for Lark Books and various periodicals, eventually landing on the cover of Art Jewelry magazine. "When you look at these things [I create], you have to examine them twice to realize what they're made of. That's my goal in making such pieces."
An independent spirit, Lauseng does not allow herself to get locked into any particular style or medium. Her repertoire includes masks, paper mach bowls, rosaries, prayer beads and acrylic paintings. An online gallery displays such pieces, along with Lauseng's other work. Locally, her artwork is sold at Moonstruck Art on Yankie Street.
Lauseng conveys an infectious passion for art that carries over into her office job. Her favorite book of all time, she says, is Oh, The Places You'll Go, by Dr. Seuss. A picture book with a clear message for adults as well as children, its story "addresses the Great Balancing Act of Life and its ups and down." As Lauseng sees it, the upbeat Seuss message conforms with her own conviction that each of us can find the success that lies within.
"I want us to share our dreams of whatever we want to see in this community," she insists, eyes sparkling at the possibilities. "I'd like to see them all posted on our new website. One person's dream, for instance, might be to have a museum that houses certain items. Another's could be to put on a major concert for thousands of people. There are people out there who may share or support your dream, whatever it is. I think simply sharing these dreams with each other will help at least some of them come true."
See more of Karen Lauseng's art at www.kjartworks.com Learn more about Silver City's Arts & Cultural District at www.silvercityacd.org or write info@silvercityacd.org
Southwest Storylines columnist Richard Mahler is a writer based
in Silver City who guides walking tours of the historic and arts districts.
See www.silvercitywalks.com for details.