There used to be a white crow who became quite popular around the town of Banner Elk. He would frequent the various fields, meadows, and parks in the area, always under the watchful eye of feathered friends and adoring fans alike.

When we sat down to speak with Karen Wimbush about her art, the white crow kept coming up. She told us how crows have a strong sense of community, a knack for shiny objects, and truly impressive memories. And looking at her work, you can begin to understand how the white crow served as a winged muse for Karen.

Karen’s pieces are stunning compositions of memories, found objects, and shiny collectibles carefully crafted into stunning animal forms. They’re more than labors of love, she explains, they’re acts of service that seek to breathe new life into objects and artifacts from our past.

Karen says she remembers the day that the white cow didn’t show up on her back porch. She could tell by the ways the other crows were acting that something had happened. It’s the small, yet compelling things, like the white crow, that make our lives more enchanting. If you have the pleasure of being able to see Karen’s work in person, you’ll get an idea of the servitude detailed and embodied in each of her amazing pieces of sculpture.