The show will run through the end of December

VANCOUVER – Artwork from local artists K.C. Madsen and Julie Ann Smith is on display at the Rebecca Anstine Gallery. The show will run through the end of December. 

The gallery is on the sixth floor of the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

An artist’s reception will be held at the gallery 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. The event is sponsored by the Clark County Arts Commission. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. 

Artists’ statements:

K.C. Madsen — Conversations with Morandi

Returning to my studio after a several months’ downtime, I wanted to explore something other than abstract painting.

Most of my painting has been abstract and inspired by the formal elements and landscape. But recently I’ve been thinking about the Italian painter Giorgio Morandi and his jars and vessels and bottles. The idea of treating the subject as though it were a formal element seemed to be a good motivator to do something new.

These paintings came out of my study of Morandi. The subject is still life but unlike Morandi, my images are non observational — the paintings are abstract in many ways, finding their harmony in the way color and space affect how a painting works. And in this approach, I’ve found it liberating to not be bound by a single way to resolve a painting.

Julie Ann Smith—Overlooked

Still-life painting is often overlooked and misunderstood. It is more than just a collection of objects. We assign meaning, hold sacred, or discard the objects that accompany us through life. Still-life painting can be a historical record of things which we assign value to. It can also symbolically serve to represent an idea or concept. A vase of fresh flowers can be beautiful as well as remind us that “life is short so live wisely.” 

Art making is integral to my daily life. Some of the best ideas come to me while walking in our Hudson’s Bay neighborhood here in Vancouver or along the Columbia River. This is a time to decompress, clear thoughts, and open eyes to a fresh moment. I’ve collected many of the items depicted in this group of paintings from these walks as well as searches through area junk stores. 

I am interested in elevating the importance of and enhancing understanding of our collected things. What do they reveal about us? As individuals and as a culture? The still-life painting is the perfect vehicle to explore this desire to collect things. As an artist it offers the freedom to create a tableau in my studio where I can arrange, remove, adjust, and light with total autonomy. I am free to assign meaning. I like to think I am telling a story and giving the abandoned objects a new life and revealing insight into our collective culture. You the viewer are an important part of the process by offering yet another pair of eyes and your own interpretations to this endeavor. I am humbled to have this opportunity to share with you. Thank you for taking the time to view my art.

https://julieannsmithfineartist.com

Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.