Karen Milstein

Clay is a balancing and healing medium for me which provides an opportunity for work and play. This  contrasts refreshingly with life in my everyday world. My professional work, training, and orientation as psychologist, psychotherapist and shaman/healer, which I also tremendously enjoy, involves a great responsibility to others. As a potter, I can bring my healing intention and creativity into the physical world in a more spontaneous, immediate, and “free” fashion.

I have been working in clay for 8 or 9 years now, taking hand-building classes at Santa Fe clay and exploring on my own. I've participated in various events, including several Contemporary Clay Fairs in Santa Fe, various local markets, and other venues, in addition to private sales.The process of creating with clay is a healing one for me personally, and is enriched by my Kabbalistic understanding of the formative act as a reflection of the original creation of our universe. I've enjoying experimenting with masks and mask-like faces, using animal, plant, rock and human-like forms. Frequently I also create healing rattles, which for me express the shaking awake of our consciousness, and provide those who use them with the opportunity to be playful. Often I do sgraffito on the rattles, using images from nature and spirit. All have to do with healing in some form.

My most recent work is making micaceous vessels. I love the feel and the very essential quality of this clay, along with the hands-on immediacy of being able to smoke-fire it in my own fireplace! I experience these containers as holders of nourishment and supporters of  spirit for us all. Some are of traditional form, and others more contemporary. My intention is for all my pieces, whatever their form, to embody a healing and spirit-elevating essence on a variety of levels.

Karen K. Milstein, PhD, LISW