So Much Color

So Much Color

Beginning June 24^th at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, is a show featuring 3 artists with very different processes and styles. The thing they do have in common is color – hence the show title, “So Much Color”.

Kaidy Lewis has refined a process of abstract expressionism that brings to the canvas a feeling, a subject, or a current affair which she experiences as making no sense.  Her conversation with paint is a subjective, exploratory, and investigative process.  Lewis’ paintings are multi-layered and complex; they are a synthesis of inanimate objects and ambiguous figures, within aesthetics of beauty, color, rhythm and design.  This semi-abstract visual art is an endeavor to deconstruct autobiographical chaos into some type of joyous humor that provokes the subconscious in the viewer and makes a space for connection.  Hints are embedded into the canvas in the hope that the conversation in paint quietens the ego and softens the noise of the world.  Lewis sees her practice as a health regimen that can create confidence, community and compassion.  She was born in the UK and attended art college in London,  and now works out of two studios located in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina.

Mark Kinsella, 3D fused glass artist, combines color and shape with eye-catching results.  His conception of a glass piece begins with a vague idea of color or texture.  As he starts putting it together, it takes on a life of its own and can end up being totally different than what he had in mind at the beginning.  For him working with glass is a metaphor for life.  When he works with glass, he is reminded that life, like glass, is fragile.  And that something shattered and broken into a million pieces can be recreated into something whole and beautiful again.  Kinsella spent the majority of his life as a photographer in the private sector, but in 2005 discovered the art of fused glass.  After starting with a small table-top kiln he quickly realized that he was meant to create larger and more complex works.  Kinsella has continued to learn through experimentation and through local workshops, continually developing his unique style.

For this show Pat Merriman has ventured into different styles, experimenting with pouring acrylic analogous colors mixed with glazing mediums and topping the pour with acrylic inks. It requires 2 days for this background layer to dry before she can add the focal piece or collage. One group of Merriman’s paintings will have a QR code showing that the title of each piece is a familiar song.  A second group is based on her love of the work of African American artist Richard Mayhew, and is inspired by his strata and vivid colors. Merriman’s very bright landscapes evoke his style and are built of layers upon layers of acrylic color mixes using fan brushes, sponges, Q-tips, and fingers. One piece is a large scene of Merriman’s memories of Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

Come visit the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts and be inspired by “So Much Color”.  The show runs from June 24 – July 20. The opening reception will be held during Hillsborough’s Last Friday Art Walk on June 27^th from 6 – 9 p.m. The Jackson St. Band will play 60s & 70s American roots rock on the patio during the reception.

If you’d like a chance to meet these artists and hear about their inspiration and process, their Artist Talk will be held in the gallery on Saturday, July 12^th at 4pm.

About the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts:

The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 20 local artists and represents these established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery’s offerings include oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, glass, scratchboard, fiber art, and handcrafted furniture. 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Phone: (919) 732-5001. The gallery is open 10am-6pm Monday – Saturday, and 12pm-4pm on Sunday. More information can be found on the HGA website: http://www.HillsboroughGallery.com