Christine Keech
Jan 21-28
Opening Reception: Jan. 21 at 7pm at Artspeak Gallery
I create mixed media abstract paintings that incorporate my love of texture and colour with religious symbolism. My Christian faith has become the foundation for most of my work, especially my more recent paintings.
The ideas for the paintings come during quiet, meditative times, usually while I’m listening to a sermon, or sitting in a Bible class. The Bible is rich in symbolism and history and I wanted to explore and express the stories in a different way. I use an abstract, expressive approach that is interesting to look at as well as making people think about the subject matter.
Once an idea is in my head, I make a rough sketch and then begin layering acrylic paint washes and texture mediums. Sometimes there are many layers in a painting, rich with vibrant colours while other paintings are more subdued in nature. After the layering process is complete, I walk away. Sometimes a painting is left for a few hours, sometimes it’s weeks. With fresh eyes, I begin to bring out the details that have naturally formed from the layering of the different mediums and add in whatever objects or symbols that are needed. Many times hidden images reveal themselves and have been quite startling because rarely are they intentional.
The idea for this series entitled “The Trees Tell the Story” came to me while I was thinking about all the different trees that are found in the Old and New Testaments. The story begins with the two trees found in Genesis and are followed by other significant trees that mark important events in Christian history. It ends with the symbolic tree of twelve fruits from the Book of Revelation, thus bringing the story full circle.
For more information please contact: cakeech@hotmail.com
