“Cauldron” by Leah Kohlenberg
Leah Kohlenberg, artist statement:
I have been drawing and painting for 18 years, but the work you see today is entirely new for me.
These pastels and oil paintings are inspired by the Oregon coast, but the colors are wild and bright (sometimes wacky) and the land forms are intentionally abstract. This is to allow some of the raw brushwork and initial power that comes from an artistic first impression. It’s also an attempt to share the more vibrantly colorful world that’s in my head onto the canvas.
I started painting in my 30s, so have always had a sense of being “behind” – there were people who’d been doing art much longer than me, who knew more about the craft than I, who were way better artists than I. As I practiced my skills, I also did a lot of painting over my first attempts until I made the work “correct.”
My lack of confidence resulted in a stuttering “over-painting” that could lose the initial rawness and beauty of the initial strokes. I sometimes missed what I had created in the first pass, and at the same time, I didn’t trust it.
Now 18 years later, this series is an attempt to trust and honor that first pass. You are the first people to see these works. They have all been made this year, with this venue in mind. Many thanks for being the number one audience.
October 2018
Exploring New Surfaces
Fairweather House and Gallery
612 Broadway Street
Seaside, Oregon
Exploring New Surfaces, an exhibition curated by Agnes Field, Astoria based artist with a Master’s Degree in Studio Fine Art from New York University through October 31st.
“The works included in this exhibit use either new materials or methods and techniques to amplify the meaning in the content of their art. Adding or embedding new materials to the surface creates surprise, and occasionally, deeper interpretation and understanding of the subject.” –Agnes Field
The October 2018 exhibit includes Leah Kohlenberg and Kathy Moberg and Carmela Newstead.
“I have been drawing and painting for 18 years, but the work you will see for Exploring New Surfaces is entirely new for me. These pastels and oil paintings are inspired by the Oregon coast, but the colors are wild and bright (sometimes wacky) and the land forms are intentionally abstract. This is to allow some of the raw brushwork and initial power that comes from an artistic first impression. It’s also an attempt to share the more vibrantly colorful world that’s in my head onto the canvas. Art Walk visitors will be the first people to see these works. They have all been made this year, with this venue in mind. Many thanks for being the number one audience.” Leah Kohlenberg
For more about the curator, please go to http://www.fairweatherhouseandgallery.com/ artists/ Agnes Field
The art of Leah Kohlenberg on display.
Close up of the art by Leah Kohlenberg
Reprinting ART ON article/ Oct 18 hipfishmonthly.com
Exploring New Surface
Leah Kohlenberg at Fairweather
Review
“The work inspired by the Oregon coast artist uses raw brush work and unexpected colors to focus on the initial power that comes from the first artistic impressions. An experienced painter for over 18 years Kohlenberg also teaches drawing to many local professionals.”