May 2013

SaxArt Gallery of Fine Art in Saxapahaw, NC, Features Works by Karen Weihs

The SaxArt Gallery of Fine Art located in “historic” Saxapahaw, NC, is proud to present Landscape Vibrations, featuring Abstract Expressionism by Karen Weihs. The exhibit begins May 1 and will continue through May 26, 2013. A reception will be held on May 5, from 2-5pm.

A self-described “Colorist of the Carolinas,” Weihs looks at nature and sees masses of color and shapes. Forsaking all details, she conjures patterns of light, air, weather and reflection that feel ethereal and diffused.

“This show represents my reaction to what I have seen in my outside painting adventures,” says Weihs. “I see the shapes, the forms and the colors which I bend and shape to form a feeling of what I see. I use my large palette knife and some brushes to manipulate and guide the paint to a pleasing variety of color. I try to get my feeling of the place where I am. I select a small area that vibrates within the landscape to me, an area that shouts out to me; “paint me, I am alive, I am mysterious, I am vibrant!”

Weihs offers the following about herself, “I am a modern expressionist. I use various sizes of palette knives, putty knives and larger brushes to lay traditional opaque oil color down in thin layers, then in-between is

laid transparent color glazes to bring a luminous effect to the viewer. What happens to me is an emotional and intuitive response of me ‘letting go’ of the subject in order to let in my reaction to it. This magic happens which draws me in, and a confident addiction of painting those responses occurs, again and again. Even though I learned traditional oil painting techniques and I can paint realistically from the old masters style of training, I have learned more by teaching myself a more abstracted form of painting to get the contemporary effect of color verses texture. I studied with LaMar Dodd at the University of Georgia earning a BFA degree. His repetitive, coloristic modern style was great influence. I am looking for the cutting edge of paint technique for me, ever evolving to a higher standard. Usually the viewer can find something of subject matter to relate to in my work.”

Weihs adds, “I am an intensely intuitive painter. I feel the subject that may or may not appear as my eyes see. My work becomes what the hand, the mind and the heart respond to, in that time-standing-still moment.”

“I was born and raised in Charleston, SC, raised two sons and 7 restaurants there with my restaurateur husband, Chris Weihs, also a professional chef. We now live near Asheville, NC, where I maintain a public studio in the historic River Arts District. And yes, he cooks for me daily, and I am eternally grateful for his partnership.”

The SaxArt Gallery of Fine Art is a vital part of the Contemporary Art Scene in both the Triangle and Triad Regions of North Carolina. The gallery is located on Jordan Drive next to the Saxapahaw Post Office.

For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 336/525-2394 or visit (www.saxapahawartists.com).

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