Line and Color Series

This Weekend

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Urban Elegance Show

The D.C. Design Center’s Urban Elegance show is starting soon. I worked with designer, Jennie Curtis on her project, contributing some faux on the ceiling, stencil work, and window murals. It’s free for vistors! Here’s the link…

http://www.dcdesigncenter.com/designhouse/spring2009/event_information.cfm

Easter at Eastern Market

A quick shot of maple helping me get set-up at Eastern Market on Sunday.

It was a windy day.  At times I felt like I was holding up two giant shields when I steadied my frescos.

Thank you Scott  http://spilledimages.smugmug.com for letting my use your tent!

Finishing Touches on Abstract Landscapes

I just put the finishing touches on these small abstract landscapes for Annie Kaill’s. They are wrapped up and on their way to Juneau.

Moving takes…

I guess moving from Juneau, Alaska to Washington, D.C. is exhausting. I didn’t think so during the actual flights and drive, but the fact that I’m still reflecting and adjusting means it’s not complete yet. I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten how to text….and driving past the “end of the road” feels strange. Dressing up in general feels like a luxury and I still feel like I have to catch the sun while it’s out, or I might miss it for a month.

The hardest part for me so far is deciding what I don’t want in my life from before we lived in Juneau. I’m pacing myself. I think we all have opportunities to change our own pattern.

I feel like living in Juneau was a challenge and priceless all rolled up into one.

I think it’s time to start arting.

Show at Annie Kaill’s in Juneau, Alaska

Thanks to my friend Sherri, I have some photos of my exhibit! I think this was the first opening I’ve had long distance. I’m so thankful that friends stopped in to check it out despite an avalanche!!!!!!!!!!! The staff at Annie Kaill’s did an amazing job presenting everything. And to think of all of the pressure I’ve felt hanging shows over the years… I’m just thankful all around.

Exhibits

EXHIBITIONS, Karen Harton Suderman

2009
Holding Onto Juneau, exhibition, Annie Kaill’s Gallery, Juneau, AK

2008
4th Annual 12 Buy, Austin Art Space, Austin, Tx
Recent Works, solo exhibition, Juneau Art and Culture Center, Juneau, Ak
START exhibition, Artspoken Gallery & Studios, Austin, Tx

2007
Red Hot, Red Dot, Women and Their Work , Austin, Tx
AVAA 30th Anniversary, juried exhibition, Austin, Tx
5×7 show, Arthouse, Austin, Tx
Recent Works, Vin Bistro, Austin, Tx
All Things Politic, juried exhibition, Artspoken  Gallery & Studios, Austin, Tx
Resident Art Show, Artspoken Gallery & Studios, Austin, Tx

2006
Living Epistle, solo exhibition, Artspoken  Gallery & Studios, Austin, Tx
12 Buy, Artspoken Gallery & Studios, Austin, Tx
Resident Art Show, Artspoken Gallery & Studios, Austin, Tx

2005
12 Buy, Artspoken Gallery & Studios, Austin, Tx
The Opening, Artspoken Gallery & Studios, Austin, Tx
Rising, The Spa at Steiner Ranch, Austin, Tx
Just A Taste, Vin Gallery, Austin, Tx
May Feature, Vin Gallery, Austin, Tx
Semi Annual Tenant Show, Guadaloupe Art Center, Austin, Tx

2004
Semi Annual Tenant Show, Guadaloupe Art Center, Austin, Tx
Southwestern University Alumni Art Exhibition, Sarofim School of Fine Arts
Gallery,Georgetown, Tx
Collaborative Show, sponsored by The Statehouse on Congress, Austin, Tx
Semi Annual Tenant Art Exhibition, Guadalupe Art Center, Austin, Tx

2003
Abstract/Realism Exhibition, Guadalupe Art Center, Austin Tx
Collaborative Show, sponsored by Whole Body Salon, Austin, Tx

2002
Collaborative Exhibition, sponsored by Austin City Lofts/ Zita Design,
Austin,Tx
City Art Link participant

2001
Semi Annual Tenant Show, Guadaloupe Art Center, Austin, Tx
Solo Senior Exhibition, Sarofim School of Fine Arts Gallery, Georgetown, Tx

Artist Statement

Karen Suderman, artist statement

I continue to explore the relationship between abstract and representational languages, and investigate the complex ways those languages interact in contemporary paintings. Each painting is a resemblance of a natural object, and the stylized presentation of each object produces an image that is ultimately indefinable.

The inspiration for my art lies in our innate relationship with nature: with form in nature and with human form. I ascertain that some images feel familiar to us, and that this perception is a primal and instinctual response.

Each of my images depicts a section of something I consider “innate”: a plant, animal, person, or piece of land. During the process of painting, I concentrate on the object’s color, line, and texture.

Consider that the paintings you see, although inspired by the natural world, are removed from the nature to the extent that they exist as objects independent of those that inspired them. My painting is a resemblance of nature because it is neither the original object, nor a representation of the original object. This subjective manner in which each painting is depicted, further separates what exists on canvas from what we see of nature. Ultimately, the image can only be connected to nature through the familiarity of color, shape, and texture.

This familiarity intrigues me. It stems from our own innate relationship with the natural world, and I hope to call attention to it by presenting images that provoke it. I suggest that the color, line, and texture of each painting create an image with which the viewer will immediately identify, despite the fact that one has no way of knowing the source-object it is derived from. I hope the experience of this connection will compel the viewer to consider the underlying structure of the world around us. Why, upon close inspection, and without objective distance, might an animal resemble a plant or a skyline resemble a shoreline?

Holding onto Juneau, exhibition

I finished my art invitation and got my press release out today!

A collection of recent works in marble dust by Juneau artist Karen Suderman.  Entitled “Holding onto Juneau,” the works are atmospheric and ab-stract representations of Juneau’s myriad landscapes.