On the Water - Solo Show at Corrigan Gallery

YOU ARE INVITED...

Karin Olah

On the Water

solo show

May 2 - 31

Corrigan Gallery

62 Queen Street Charleston SC

Artist Reception: Friday, May 6, 5p - 8p.

It's the Charleston Gallery Association's ArtWalk - so lots of Art to see, friends to catch up with, a chance to wear that awesome new dress, a reason to get off work early, a toast to what feels like the beginning of summer. I hope to see you there!

This show was a joy to paint.

I can easily say that about every collection I make.

What makes it so much fun for me? The research. I spend time on the beach, on the water, on the marsh, and on piers gathering the imagery for these paintings.

I work from memory and from photos taken on my beach and water adventures.

Making a painting is a many-step process. First, I hand-dye fabric - usually a new batch for a new series. I like to use natural fabrics - cotton, linen, and silk. "On the Water" series is lots of my favorite blues (that's me doing an Indigo dye bath), creamy and straw-colored neutrals, burlap-y linens, mossy/marshy greens and golds. And then the yummy new pink, apricot, peach, marmalade sunset shades you'll see in the Marsh Kiss series.

All that and I haven't even dipped brush in paint yet. I use gouache (an opaque watercolor), acrylic paints and mediums, pastel, aqua-cartons, and pencils to sketch, invent, and bring a scene to life.

I paint a layer, then choose/cut/place/re-arrange fabric in a layer. I adhere it to the canvas or birch panel with an archival rice starch. Then I paint more, And arrange fabric more. This can go on for days (sometimes weeks!).

I’m so lucky to live near the beach. Spending time near or on the water has a positive effect on my mood and health. I’m soaking in the inspiring views of South Carolina land, water, and sea, and excited to share my own twist on landscape painting.

I hope you'll join me... On the Water!