Fall for Art - Open Studio Tour
October 2022 / October 2023
“The Fall for Art Open Studio Tour presented by the Art League of Henderson County provides an educational experience to the entire community by inviting the public to experience the life of local artist at work in their studio environment ”
Open Studio Tours are a wonderful opportunity for connection and inspiration. During these tours I display ready to hang paintings as well as in progress pieces and the materials I am currently exploring. My work is heavily guided by my medium of interest (typically acrylic and ink) and the path to a “finished” piece is often intuitive. Many of my paintings reflect a collection of mindful sensory research and playful experiments.
I am fascinated by energy that draws us towards certain shapes, patterns, colors, textures, sounds etc. Although these connections can be influenced, altered or distracted by outside sources, the practice of making art brings us back to ourselves.
Top Right: Luminescent
Bottom Left: Bamboo Series
My studio is a nest. a collection of what captures my attention. Physically collecting small items like rocks, bark, fabric; I pay attention to textures, colors and shapes. I use photography and journaling as a form of mental collection. Over time this collection process reveals an aesthetic pattern that guides me. From this I pick my tools and colors and play with the reactions between a select variety of paint and application. I weather my surfaces; soaking, scraping, printing, dissolving, pouring, smearing. I love using gravity and large intuitive gestures to begin a composition. I constantly move the painting as I work to find the right balance from all perspectives.
I walk away from the painting to let the experience settle.
I return to the painting with recalibrated eyes and ask, “What is needed? What can be let go?”
Along with my large pieces, I also have jewelry, greeting cards and smaller paintings available for sale during the tour. Through all my experimentation, I end up with so many beautiful scraps. Two years ago I decided to turn those lovely little pieces into small paintings for people to enjoy. Working on these smaller, more accessible pieces of art has allowed me to join local craft fairs where I have met so many talented folks!
