Karen Mitchell Design
Karen Mitchell is an Italian and New York-trained artist and jewelry designer. A master goldsmith, she crafts her unique designs using her own special mixture of 22k recycled gold and accents each piece with beautiful, ethically sourced gems.
History, culture, ceremonial iconography, form and metamorphosis inspire the design Ms. Mitchell’s jewelry. Creating language through shape, texture, pattern and color is important in the design of each piece. Exploration of nature and contrast, (combining crude and refined, discovering modernity through antiquity), is a fundamental motivation for Ms. Mitchell’s work. Clients include artists, art collectors, diplomats, CEO’s, socialites, stylists and wonderful friends from around the globe.
Exquisite high-karat gold, diamond and colored stone jewelry by Karen Mitchell was selected by the World Gold Council for its prestigious collection entitled “The Language of Gold: Elegant Expressions of Design”, and for several World Gold Council Gold Trend & Look Books. Ms. Mitchell was also chosen as a finalist for the “American Couture Jewelry Awards”, and her work appears in many publications. Drawing on her twenty-plus years of experience designing jewelry for internationally celebrated jewelry houses in Italy and New York, as well as her own brand, Ms. Mitchell is particularly adept at using texture, pattern and color to create jewels that bring a rich harmony to the eye and a sense of self-confidence and satisfaction to the wearer. It takes a cultured, experienced designer like Karen Mitchell to utilize precious materials appropriately, seamlessly integrating them into a fascinating, elegant and timeless Jewel for her savvy, eclectic, sophisticated clientele.” ~ JRB Design Hot Sheet
“A complete artist, Karen combines design with intense activity as goldsmith/craftswoman. She [has divided] her time between Colorado, where she was born and completed her university education, New York, her adopted city and Milan, where she specialized in design and manufacture. Karen has accumulated vast experience, ranging from the knowledge of the ancient goldsmith’s art to that of precious stones and European design. During her travels in Europe and America she has attracted the attention of an international clientele, which have followed the development of her art, commissioning precious single pieces from her”. ~ World Gold Council Design Trend Book
EXHIBITIONS – GALLERIES – SHOWS
Aaron Faber Gallery, NY – Portfolio Exhibition, (2000), “Ancient and Cultural Influences on 21st C. Design” (2001), “The Gold Show” (2002).
J. Cotter Gallery, Beaver Creek, CO. – (2001- 2010), “Just Bracelets, ’01”.
Yaw Gallery, Birmingham, MI. – “Earrings, Light and Lovely”, (2001), SOFA Chicago, SOFA NY, “Bijou”, (2002).
Cindy Griem Fine Jewelry – Aspen, (2003 – 2005).
Facere Gallery, Seattle, WA. – Group show, (2003).
Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC. – Group show (2003).
American Craft Council Baltimore, MD. – (2004, 2005, 2006).
Concepts Gallery Carmel, CA. – (2004 – 2005).
Greene & Greene Gallery, Lambertville, NJ. – Holiday Show, (2004-2006).
Gallery Yann, Chicago IL. – “Pearls Out of the Closet”, (2004).
SOFA Chicago, (2004).
Ariodante, New Orleans, LA. – Spring Exhibition, (2005).
Artrider Master’s Showcase, NY. NY. – (2005).
Artrider Crafts Park Avenue, NY, NY. – Seventh Regiment, & Lexington Ave. Armory, (2005 – 2008).
Zaruba & Zaruba, Fredrick, MD. – “The Art of Granulation” (2005).
Greene & Greene Gallery, Lambertville, NJ, – Group Show, Holiday Show (2004, 2005).
Works Gallery, New York, NY, Madison Ave. – (2006 – 2009).
The Artful Hand Gallery, Boston, MA. (2006 – 2007).
Positive Images Gallery, Austin, Texas “Colors of the Sea” (2006).
Craft Boston, (2008).
Telluride Gallery, Telluride, CO. (2007 – 2008).
Freehand Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. (2007- 2008).
The American Jewelry Couture Awards, N.Y., N.Y. – Finalist. (2007).
Aspen Jewel Box – (2009 – 2010).
The Golden Bough, Aspen, Ongoing Representation
EDUCATION
New York – National Academy of Design, – Study in Precisionist Drawing.
Fashion Institute of Technology – Study in jewelry design and related business.
Vienna, Austria – Independent study of goldsmithing and the jewelry market.
Cecilia Bauer Studio – Independent study in ancient goldsmithing techniques.
Milan, Italy – Van der Schoot, Disegno e Fabbricazione -Work/Study in design, ancient goldsmithing techniques, business.
New York – Jewelry Arts Institute – Study in ancient goldsmithing techniques
New York – Gemological Institute of America – Diamond grading.
University of Colorado at Boulder – Bachelor of Fine Art, Certificate in Art Education.
PRESS
JQ Magazine – Feature on the World Gold Council’s Vicenza Designer Symposium, 1993.
Aspen Magazine – Aspen Insider: Style, Summer 1997. The Best Issue – Aspen Status Symbols, 1998.
Jeweler’s Resource Jewelry Design Hot Sheet – for Editors & Retailers, Summer 2006.
InStore Magazine – Heart Throbs at High End, In Front-New Arrivals: Pearl Jewelry, 2006. InStore, In Front, 2008.
Modern Jeweler (Web) – Fashion & Trends: Glam Gold on Bebe Runway, 2006.
PUBLICATIONS
World Gold Council, Gold Trends 94-95. Directions: A Jewelry Market Report, 1995, World Gold Council Editor Look Book 2006-07.
Lark Books – 500 Earrings, 2007. 500 Pendants, 2008.
American Couture Jewelry: Exhibition in Print of American Jewelry Design, 07-08.