My work is abstract, detailed, and highly imaginative. I am attracted to expressive color and pattern as subtext in the unfolding play of order and chaos, as I explore the nature of time, beauty and groundlessness. Inspiration comes from real and imagined environments, in the time of climate change and percarious balance. This body of work was created during my year and a half as Artist in Residence at the Y Arts Center in downtown Frederick, MD. I continue a decades-long investigation into the relationship between stitching and painting. Stitching has a reassuring rhythm, a grounding. It is an action of ordering, repairing, and making whole in it’s preciseness and sturdiness. It gives articulation to space and forms. Its slowness allows the mind space for ideas, for seeing visual relationships, and for meaning to develop. Painting is kinetic, messy, fast, and accidental, spontaneously inviting the unknown. Combining these two mediums creates an endless dance of possibility. My starting point is the materiality of wood, linen, glass, cotton, paint and water. A tangible engagement with the natural world is important to me. Doing the work of making compositions that are new and unfamiliar, while still being recognizably relatable, is what I find interesting. The goal being to see something new, to excite the eye, while creating enough depth to elicit contemplation and the desire to sinking in. This exhibition also features large stain paintings and works on paper. A special thank you to Frederick Arts Council, The Community Foundation of Frederick County, and Maryland State Arts Council for critical financial support that helped make the exhibition and the Artist Residency possible. In conjunction with this exhibition at NOMA Gallery, there will be a Stitch In on March 19th, 12-3pm, at the Y Arts Center. All are welcome to bring their stitching or mending to work in a community of stitchers for an afternoon. Some basic embroidery supplies will be on hand for those interested in trying it out. To learn more about Karin’s work, visit http://karinbirch.blogspot.com. Contact karinbirch@gmail.com Click image below to start slide show or to find information on individual pieces.