• Karen’s needle felting features bold designs of common and nostalgic objects
• Her work is part imagined, part realistic, inspired by everyday life
• From beach shells to packaging from locals, upcycled found materials are matted into her pieces

On the south coast of England, Karen's studio draws in passersby who initially believe her works are paintings, before they step closer and discover they are felt. Originally an oil painter, she reconnected with her art following a career as a teacher. At first, Karen created miniature paintings on shells, until she found needle felting. Her series shortlisted by the Royal Academy of Arts was inspired by walking past sheep with her son, and imagining what they could do with their days, from playing the panpipes to becoming acrobats. "The sheep are us. They symbolise the average person,” Karen shares. Her hand felted creations feature everyday objects, from the natural linens on the backs of her works to recycled packaging from neighbours and the community matted into the design.