L+M Feature Friday -- Karen Keane

On this Feature Friday, it’s good to remember that a hobby can help reduce stress. Just ask Karen Keane.

For Keane, a medical social worker with L+M’s Case Management, it comes through her artistic passion – the spinning of a wheel, the manipulation of clay between the fingers, the intense heat of the kiln and the shimmer and sparkle of glaze.

When you’re throwing pottery on the wheel, Keane says, “It is fun, but it’s definitely a great stress release. It helps me unwind after the week, and it’s almost mindless. It’s all about muscle memory and technique.”

Keane admits she’s still learning and still experimenting, but as a student at the Guilford Arts Center, she’s happily turning out an array of gorgeous items: plates, mugs, glasses, vases.

The variations and vagaries of materials and techniques – the way the glaze “falls” in the kiln to form different patterns and designs – makes it nearly impossible to get any two pieces exactly the same, and that’s part of fun.

“I recently finished some cereal bowls,” Keane says. “I’m working on having cabinets full of my own art. I’m trying to push myself further to create food platters, fruit dishes and other items.”

Keane has made Saki and espresso sets for gifts, and, lately, other friends have been making requests. Keane is happy to accommodate, with one condition. 

“As long as they’re willing to accept it as is and that they know it comes from the heart,” she says.