Karen Rechtschaffen
Found, Created and Transformed
Old and discarded objects are treasures for me. I am guided by their design and function in what I use to transform them.

Ganesha: remover of obstacles. Elephants do not remove obstacles. The go through them and walk on.


Willis, formerly Sears, Tower. Made of proofs of parking fees, required after City of Chicago privatized the parking meters.

House of the Rising Sun. This was a tribute to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans.

Painted during the 2016 Republican primary season for the 2016 election. Honoring Native Americans with the reminder (Hopi saying) "All dreams fall from the same sky."


Honors the victims of the Charleston church massacre.

Honors the victims of the horrific Orlando nightclub carnage of 2016.

acrylic painted box by Karen Rechtschaffen Collection of Deb Flagel