C O M M O N G R O U N D
On View August 7th-September 19th, 2020
Looking curiously at the world around us inevitably sparks interconnection. In Walker Fine Art’s current exhibition, six artists consider cognitive and emotional connections to their surroundings to create spontaneous interpretations of the natural world. Inspiration is found through pause and presence in their encompassing landscapes. Through independent journeys in mark-making, gestural painting, and sculptural construction, these creators find a COMMON GROUND through contemplation and appreciation of their environments.
This group exhibition features the work of Theresa Clowes, Elaine Coombs, Mona Ray, Cara Enteles, Derrick Breidenthal, and Carol Browning
Press Release (pdf)
Price List (pdf)
Theresa Clowes
Theresa Clowes sculpts abstract landscapes with ephemeral fabric, discarded objects, translucent light, and opaque shadows. Clowes’ work explores symbiotic interconnection within the context of contrasts. By incorporating ideas about interconnection and juxtaposition through both material and concept, her work reveals the prospect for equilibrium. Her most recent work is driven by curiosity around the data and history of the Colorado River.
Artist Statement (pdf)
Resume (pdf)
“This landscape in particular highlights the complicated and strange predicament of having too much water and not enough at the same time.
Rather than dwell in this ominous quandary, my work explores symbiotic interconnection within the context of contrasts.”
Elaine Coombs
As a child growing up in the country, some of Elaine Coombs’ happiest memories are laying in the grass under a tree in mid-summer, looking up at the sky, the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze. On a summer visit to Denver, Coombs carried out just that same activity from childhood. In her studio, she strives to create paintings with a bright, light-filled palette and an optimistic tone, with hopes that she might evoke similar positive feelings in the viewer.
Artist Statement (pdf)
Resume (pdf)
“Painting with palette knives rather than brushes, dots rather than strokes, lets me play with pattern, repetition and color tone in such a way that these qualities have become a secondary, abstract subject in their own right. Inherently modern – a pixelated image is evoked by using this painstakingly handmade dot technique. “
“ I want the viewer to have a sense of connection with something more – my depiction indeed hints at a peaceful force beyond us that is benevolent. To wander through a forest is truly to be present in that remarkable goodness.”
“As a child growing up in the country, some of my happiest memories are simple and involve the outdoors. Laying in the grass under a tree in summer looking up at the sky, always takes me back to a more peaceful time. On a recent visit to Denver, I did just that same activity from childhood, holding a camera in hand to capture a visual of the moment to bring back to the studio. The resulting paintings have bright, light-filled palettes and an optimistic tone, with open skies that hope to evoke similar positive feelings in the viewer. “
Mona Ray
Close to Home, Mona Ray’s current series, emerges from the landscapes of her childhood in rural Wyoming, and current life in coastal California. Starting with brief sketches in the landscape, the remainder of Ray’s process is studio-based, where explorations and interpretations of initial observations develop gradually through layers of charcoal, acrylic, and oil. The final paintings preserve the evidence of this spontaneous and intuitive approach, a journey in marks and paint.
Artist Statement (pdf)
Resume (pdf)
“My journey into a painting begins with brushes, palette knives, and plenty of paint, often initially with charcoal or ink, then acrylic, sometimes collage. My approach is intuitive and spontaneous. “
Bobbi Walker introduces Mona Ray, a new artist to WFA. Mona's series, Close to Home, reflects on her years of growing up on the prairies of Wyoming.
“…the painting ebbs and flows between chaos and clarity, destruction and creation, until the dialogue slows and the painting begins to say something that feels true. The piece opens up at this point and becomes three things at once: a landscape, a tangible record of my thoughts and struggles as I created it, and something larger, something I cannot entirely claim as my own— an unlikely collection of colors and marks that comes together to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts. “
Derrick Breidenthal
Derrick Breidenthal is drawn to the comparison of what he hopes for and what he knows to be true. Breidenthal pursues methods that enhance the perfection of a dream, as well as hold up to the roughness of reality. He uses abstraction tempered with realism to emphasize these inconsistencies; this combination creates a tension that drives his paintings.
Artist Statement (pdf)
Resume (pdf)
“I am drawn to the comparison of what I hope for and what I know to be true. I pursue methods that enhance the perfection of a dream, as well as hold up to the roughness of reality. I use abstraction tempered with realism to emphasize these inconsistencies. This combination creates a tension that drives my paintings.”
Cara Enteles
Cara Enteles’ paintings are inspired by time spent in nature. The pieces in this exhibition reference specific landscapes seen while hiking. Back in the studio, the visual spaces are re-imagined from sketches, photos and collected foliage samples. Her modern landscapes are a mix of oil painting and silkscreen printing that have the effect of moving with the light.
Artist Statement (pdf)
Resume (pdf)
“My work is the visual diary of an ongoing fascination with the natural world.”
“As a lover of nature, I subtly address environmental issues that plague our natural world. These include declining numbers of pollinating animals, such as monarch butterflies, birds, bees and bats. Plastic pollution, fracking, oil spills and climate change have all been addressed in different bodies of works. But I believe that nature has an amazing ability to right itself, given the chance.
I aim to make the work positive and want it to be an advocate for nature.”
Carol Browning
Unlocking the sights, sounds and movement of nature significantly influence Carol Browning’s art. By taking natural moments in time and creating a lyrical visual event, she hopes to evoke an emotional connection to the observer. Browning often thinks of her paintings as visual symphonies on canvas, an expression in mark-making and vibrant color that emphasize the rhythms of life.
Artist Statement (pdf)
Resume (pdf)
“My art is not a window but a vessel that contains my dreams, experiences, emotions and spirit. The paintings pull me in to the vast landscapes of color, pattern and shape.
I often think of my paintings as visual symphonies on canvas, an expression in mark-making that emphasize the rhythms of life. “
“My process involves combining glazes with impasto layers of paint connecting line and organic shapes. Color, value and composition play a vital role in finding a balance between chaos and serenity.
As my work progresses the marks become more expressive and the experience is an adventure in self-discovery. “
