Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Amy Finkel Fishof.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Karen Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always created very large artworks. Over the years, I’ve run into several problems with that. I started creating large photograms made of 20 sheets of 16×20 of photo paper. Whenever I wanted to show them to someone, I had to lay them out on the floor or tape them to the wall. They ended up getting damaged and dirty. I then switched to acrylic painting on wood figuring that would solve my problem because wood is sturdy surface. I ended up with three more problems. The wood was one large piece, close to 4’x8′ and carved into individual shapes with curves and sharp corners. There was no good way to wrap them for transportation and the edges got damaged. They were so large I had to rent a truck every time I wanted to show them or move them.
It was so much trouble to wrap them up and unwrap them, that I didn’t have the energy to show them to people who came to my studio. I could only show them pictures. They took up so much space and were a pain to store. I finally had an epiphany. Modular Art. I started with hand painting modular hexagons, and have graduated to encasing the designs in museum grade acrylic. They are extremely durable, gorgeous, lightweight, easy to install and I can create a piece that can cover a 40′ wall and still fit it in the trunk of my car. No need to rent a truck or hire guys to install. In the past, I had some pieces that couldn’t make it up a staircase turn, but these new pieces, no problem! I’ve designed a special hanging system so the pieces look like they are floating on the wall. I’m very proud of them, plus they have the added benefit of scaling either horizontally or vertically and the colors and patterns are endless.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would walk into a gallery to show my work. The photograms weren’t mounted. I had them in an envelope. I would have to get down on the floor and arrange the papers in front of the gallerist. They couldn’t even see what the piece would look like on the wall. I’ve also found a solution for the photograms. I now mount them on PVC panels. It’s archival and professionally displayed. They are very striking and impactful. So now I’m producing two bodies of work. The fine art under FinkeLand, and the decorative Modern Modular Hexagons under Mod Wall Art.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Mod Wall Art | Finkeland story. Tell us more about the business.
What sets us apart is our attention to detail and of course, our aesthetic. Each piece is produced with the utmost of care and professionalism. As far as FinkeLand is concerned, I don’t think of it as a business. It’s art and it’s my passion.
At Mod Wall Art, we love to work with interior designers and create bespoke, site-specific works. So you have the choice of buying from a host of designs from our website which you can use to create your own layout and color scheme, but if you have a special project, we will custom tailor the artworks to match your tastes and sizes. We can even match a fabric, tile, or any finish in your space. We specialize in public works, as well as hospitality spaces, restaurants, and private homes and clubs.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I’ve never stopped creating so I’ve always kept my skills sharp. After I got my BFA in painting, I had a window display business creating designs for Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Dress Barn Stores, and HMV Record Stores. I created my own props and learned to work with endless materials. I then went back to school and got a second degree in computer graphics. Now I have the option to design works on the computer first which really helps a lot. I worked for many years designing for the licensing industry, including packaging, product design and style guides for Disney, Nickelodeon, Crayola, MTV, etc. I always kept my skills sharp, even painting murals on the walls of my home. I just never stopped creating. I always went to galleries to keep abreast of the art scene and read all the art magazines. Now I follow the blogs and read all the interior decorating magazines as well as attending all the local art fairs, gallery openings, and design conventions. You eventually meet the right people and “get lucky.”
Contact Info:
- Website: finkeland.com modwallart.com
- Phone: (800) 549-8753
- Email: [email protected] [email protected]
- Instagram: @finkeland @modwallart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Finkeland https://www.facebook.com/Mod-Wall-Art-371836286636639/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/finkeland
Image Credit:
Karen Amy Finkel Fishof
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