Karen is a Cherokee Nation citizen who grew up in Texas and currently resides in Garland, TX. She learned about Cherokee culture and art through her mother, Martha Berry, who revived the tradition of Cherokee Beadwork. She fell in love with gourd art through her history of wood working and painting. This medium was a natural progression, combining these talents. She incorporates pre-European contact and modern Cherokee designs into her work.
She began fingerweaving in 2012 in the style typically done by Southeastern Woodland tribes during the 18th century. She, along with other weavers, has helped lead a revival of this traditional style within the Cherokee Nation. Additionally she has revived the practice of creating bandolier bags using this technique.
Turtle Island – Double-sided oblique fingerweaving, dyed and partially felted
Third Place Textiles, 2026 Trail of Tears Art Show
Thanks, Aberdeen – Oblique fingerwoven garters
Judge’s Choice Textiles, 2024 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Four Winds – Framed fingerwoven design
Second Place Textiles, 2024 Trail of Tears Art Show
Uktena Rising #4 – Gourd carving
Merit Award Sculpture, 2023 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Choosing Sides – Carved powder horn with fingerwoven strap
Best of Division Traditional Diverse Arts, 2022 Cherokee Art Market
Bejeweled – Fingerwoven belt
Third Place Traditional Textiles, 2022 Cherokee Art Market
Merit Award Textiles, 2023 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Men’s Regalia Garters – Fingerwoven knee bands
Second Place Diverse Category, 2022 Trail of Tears Art Show
The Forever War – Fingerwoven bag
Best of Class Textiles, 2021 Cherokee Art Market
Woodland Balance – Fingerwoven sash
First Place Textiles, 2021 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
First Place Textiles, 2021 Virtual Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM)
Fingerwoven Cuff Bracelet
Second Place Jewelry, 2021 Cherokee Holiday Art Show
Men’s Regalia Sash – Fingerwoven sash
Honorable Mention Diverse Category, 2021 Trail of Tears Art Show
Dagasi On Parade – Fingerwoven sash
Third Place Diverse Category, 2020 Trail of Tears Art Show
Ebb and Flow – Fingerwoven bag and sash set
Best of Class Textiles, 2019 Cherokee Art Market
Judge’s Choice Textiles, 2020 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Juror Award Textiles, 2020 Virtual Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM)
Fingerwoven Garters
First Place Textiles, 2019 Cherokee Holiday Art Show
Riverbank – Fingerwoven bag
First Place Textiles, 2019 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Long-Shot – Fingerwoven necklace with carved gourd pendant
Second Place Jewelry, 2019 Trail of Tears Art Show
Water Is Life – Fingerwoven bag
First Place Textiles, 2018 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Winter Forest – Fingerwoven sash
First Place Textiles, 2018 Cherokee Holiday Art Show
Three Worlds – Fingerwoven sash, belt, and garters set
Judge’s Choice, 2017 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Third Place Traditional Textiles, 2017 Cherokee Art Market
Jacobite Groom – Fingerwoven sash
First Place Textiles, 2016 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Third Place Contemporary Textiles, 2016 Cherokee Art Market
#Traditions – Fingerwoven sash
First Place Textiles and Weaving, 2016 Cherokee Holiday Art Show
Light On the Water – Gourd carving
Best of Division Contemporary Diverse Arts, 2015 Cherokee Art Market
Woodland Snowfall – Fingerwoven bag
Third Place Traditional Textiles, 2015 Cherokee Art Market
The Diplomat – Fingerwoven sash
Judge’s Choice Textiles, 2015 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
The Guardian – Gourd carving
Third Place Emerging Artist Category, 2015 Trail of Tears Art Show
Red Garters – Fingerwoven knee bands
Third Place Traditional Textiles, 2014 Cherokee Art Market
Starlit River – Carved powder horn with fingerwoven strap
First Place Traditional Arts, 2013 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show
Fire Bringer – Gourd carving
Honorable Mention Diverse Arts, 2011 Homecoming Art Show
Medium: Carving, Textiles
The time period between the Yamasee War (1717) and the Indian Removal Act (1830) is considered by many to be the Golden Age for Indigenous Southeastern Woodland trade good art forms.
These beautiful textile works of art were created with newly acquired materials from Europe including wool, silk, and glass beads. They were used for ceremony, regalia, and as diplomatic gifts.
On my journey to research and learn oblique fingerweaving, I fell in love with these materials and this time of artistic innovation. I put myself in the shoes of an artisan ancestor browsing through the selection like a kid in a candy store. The tiny beads and fine textiles in a rainbow of vibrant colors must have been amazing.
I strive to achieve the exquisite beauty and quality of the works of art created during this time period while making my work identifiable as my own contemporary creations. I try to tap into our connection with nature and how we move through the world in harmony with it.
