Exciting News: My First Time at the Lowell Arts Artist Market!

I’m beyond excited to announce that I’ll be participating in the Lowell Arts Artist Market for the very first time this year! If you’re not familiar with Lowell, it’s a charming little town just east of Grand Rapids, and it’s the perfect destination for a day trip—especially if you’re a fan of local art, unique finds, and small-town charm.

When you visit Lowell, you’ll discover so much more than just an art market. The town is brimming with delightful places to explore. Whether you're a lover of vintage treasures or modern-day crafts, there’s something for everyone. Take a stroll through one of the local antique shops, browse through the adorable mercantile store, or step into the beautiful gallery co-op that showcases incredible fine arts and fine crafts. You’ll find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one, all while supporting local artists and artisans.

The Lowell Arts Artist Market is especially special this year, filled with an incredible variety of handmade items that make perfect gifts for the upcoming holiday season—or just to treat yourself! From unique jewelry and ceramics to stunning paintings and textiles, you’ll find something that truly speaks to you.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the art market! Lowell has a selection of cozy restaurants and cafes where you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal after a day of shopping and exploring. It’s the kind of town where you’ll want to wander around, take in the sights, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

I can’t wait to be a part of this wonderful event and share my work with you all!

Reflecting on a Decade of Creativity: My Journey as a Mixed-Media Artist

I’m thrilled to share that I was recently featured in a segment of Lively Arts by WGVU! It’s hard to believe that nearly ten years ago, I sat down for an interview with Lively Arts, and now I have the opportunity to reflect on how my work has evolved since then.

This recent interview allowed me to look back on my artistic journey while also looking forward to what lies ahead. The changes in my work over the past decade have been nothing short of transformative. From exploring new techniques to incorporating innovative materials, each step has added depth and meaning to my creative expression.

In the WGVU segment, I showcase the process of making paper—something I’ve become quite passionate about. There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming raw materials into something beautiful and unique. One of the highlights of my work is my use of my grandmother's crushed jewelry, which I’ve turned into paint. This personal touch not only honors her memory but also adds a rich, textured element to my pieces.

I’m excited to share the video with you all, as it captures the essence of my artistic process and the stories behind my work. I’ll also be looking for a way to post my old interview from a decade ago, so you can see the evolution firsthand!

I am going to be back at the Park Trades Center after an almost 10 year hiatus! I will have a table of work (prints, paintings, and art supplies for you). Check it out in the Saniwax Gallery, #209 on the second floor. They will also be open for Art Hop on Friday 5:00-8:00. See the full details below!

Kalamazoo folks, I’m finally doing it! I am opening my doors to the public! Come visit and see what I have been up to! Bonus, I live down the street from Texas Corners and it is opening day of the Farmers Market. Sign up for my newsletter for a reminder and more info about the day!

I had a lovely visit with my apprentice Michelle Bradway last night. Here are some photos she took while visiting. I have began to set out my palette for my next collection release.

Photos by Michelle Bradway Photography

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Other photos from this part of the process:

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“Alexa Karabin doesn’t buy tubes of paint at the art store for her unique paintings. She makes her own pigments – and not out of the usual materials...”

— ZINTA AISTARS

“Poets of Southwest Michigan engaged with the Equinox Exhibition artwork under the direction of Elizabeth Kerlikowske, President of Friends of Poetry.” Poets responded to the exhibit that was curated by Maryellen Hains and Anna Z ILL. View the exhibit at Ninth Wave Studio. See Elizabeth Kerlikowske and Scott Bade respond to my pieces Equinox: Day and Equinox: Night in the videos below. Videos were produced by Linda Rzoska of Ninth Wave Studio.

Elizabeth Kerlikowske / Soup

Scott Bade / Equinox: Night

I had hoped she would travel around to exhibitions, but now I can only hope she finds a home where she can be enjoyed and reflected upon. Read about the Deer…

sold out

The Deer/ Original Painting on Wood Panel

$5,000.00

Now that my large originals are home, I am able to drop the price a bit! When they are in a gallery I have to share between 40%-60% with the gallery! I spent 3 months making this piece and several months before that conceiving and planning for it! It is made with a LOT of 24k gold and a variety of other materials. Read the story about the Deer, below!

I so believe in omens, whatever name you want to give them. For me, they usually involve animals. And sometimes they come at me in quite dramatic ways, unfortunately. This one happened when I was standing outside my studio in the spring taking a smoke break and enjoying the sun, when a gunshot came out of nowhere. I live in what I would call residential-country. I have an acre and 1/2 of land. There are houses all around and my kids play outside (they were at grandma’s at the time). A police officer then rolls up my driveway to inform me he had just shot and deer on my property. I was taken aback and still in shock. He caught me smoking pot, something that had just become legal in Michigan. So, let’s just put it this way—I didn’t ask questions. The officer left without saying more, and I was left with a body ( I assume the deer had been hit by a car first). I knew I was meant to watch over this deer. This piece was inspired by what I saw over the next few months. I collected fur when that was all that was left, and a few days later an old oak tree fell on where the body was. When I made this piece, I mostly thought about how humans interact with nature. How we impact it with our actions. And how the cycle still wants to happen, even though our impact created a ripple. How fragile nature is. How beautiful and perfect it is. How broken we are.

The deer is made out of the handmade watercolors that I make out of my grandmother’s antique jewelry. It has embedded crystals, moonstones, beads, glass, and a lot of 24k gold. The piece is 3 dimensional. A real cicada husk was embedded and gilded with 24k gold leaf, and the fur of the deer that inspired this piece was used in it, as well. The piece is sealed to protect the organic components. I include a non-static brush for occasional dusting (once or twice a year).

It is 30’’x30’’ on a 3 inch thick, cradled birch panel. I had a white, wood custom frame made for it. The frame is included in the price. The price also includes shipping within the United States. Please allow for a couple of weeks, because I will have to make a custom box for shipping.

I am so super excited to participate in this wonderful event near Gun Lake, at Natural Walk Studio!

You can now find my work at a new shop called Elevated Grand Rapids! Grand Rapids folks especially, this is worth the trip to check out! It has something for every kind of collector--antiques, handmade, art, jewelry, plants, clothing. Everything you are looking at is either handmade by someone local or pre-owned and super charming. It really has something for everyone.