Karen studies with Ante Marinovic, a  world-renowned sculpture, in two one week classes in Escondido, Ca. Some of her fellow students have been studying with Marinovic for many years.  Ante has graciously contributed two pieces to the current show.

Classes in Soapstone Carving
In the Summer, Karen Ryer teaches the art of soapstone carving at Withywindle Gallery. The two-day classes, taught outdoors, are easy, fun, and accessible. She will teach you the most popular stones for direct carving, how to use the tools, safety precautions, and the carving process.
First, you chose your stone, a selection of which Karen provides at $1.35/lb. She provides Brazilian soapstone, the most beautiful and pure soapstone in the world. Next you decide what to carve, using a clay "maquette" (model) or a drawing of an idea. Then she shows you how to measure for copying, and how to use the best tool for the process. She will help you finish your piece with sandpaper, and send you home with instructions on how to finish your piece. This final process of heating, waxing, and polishing truly brings out the fantastic colors of the soapstone–what happens before your eyes is pure magic!
The basic class covers only hand tools. The process of direct carving the harder stones requires the use, at some points, of sophisticated power tools, including grinders and pneumatic chisels. This type of work creates considerable dust and stone chips, and requires safety equipment and precautions. Classes in the use of power tools are taught privately, at Karen's studio.

Learn to Carve Soapstone Yourself!
Karen teaches two weekend classes per summer, usually in June and August. The classes usually start at 10 am sharp and finish each day at 4 pm., with a 1/2 hour break for lunch. You will need to bring a hammer, point chisel, dust mask, gloves, rasps of all sizes, sandpaper in grades from coarse to fine, and of course, lunch.

You can drop by the gallery...or call Karen directly at 707 217-7254, or call the gallery at 707 869-1021. The address is 13550 Church St, Guerneville, CA. The class is $150.0 for the weekend class which includes stone.

 Summer hours are:
Sunday-Wednesday 11:00-4:00

Private instruction for more advanced study is by special appointment