Transformation in Art

Evening View of the Blue Whole Gallery

Karen Rozbicki Stringer

The Camera is the Photographer's Brush

Karen looking through the viewfinder
(Photo by Charles Carson)

      During the month of January, in the New Year of 2014, the Blue Whole Gallery proudly presents the work of member artist Karen Rozbicki Stringer, a fine art photographer whose exhibit will feature selections from her "Vestiges" project.  This project, given a Merit Award in Black & White Magazine, focuses on exploring the themes of time, impermanence, and transformation.  Karen uses the camera to allow her to explore and connect with the environment from different perspectives, physical, emotional and spiritual over extended time periods.  

"School's Out"

"Entryways"

 The camera becomes a brush in her hands rendering subtle imagery, lightness of colors or the darkness of shadows thus revealing or suggesting a story that evoke an emotional or intellectual reaction.  Such nuances can be seen in the photo "School's Out" which pictures wispy clouds above an abandoned one room school house. A stately tree stands nearby and two unattended school desks wait in the field, left behind. Karen's exploration of stories implies a sad beauty inherent in abandoned and decaying structures that evokes a feeling of time past.  Again this can be seen in her photo entitled "Entryways".  One is looking through a doorway, and seeing another open door with light in the distance & below a closed door. How many ghostly figures of the past entered and left through these entryways?

"Will you Join the Dance"

   The photo "Will you Join the Dance" was taken from the roadway: pictures of trees near a ramshackle home.  With the inner eye of a photographer Karen's sees a composition showing trees dancing in front of an abandoned home. Others may drive by and see only dead trees and a rundown building and continue driving.  The photograph tells a story, captures it and shows the subtle muted tones of color, gray to dark skyline above both building and trees in a field of cut straw. A moment of time showing total abandonment and asking "Will you Join the Dance"?

"Whispered Memories"

   
      Can you play me a tune? Probably in the past but not now. These piano keys, have seen better days and maybe the sounds they made gave people a chance to dance and hear a melody long forgotten. The keys are worn and broken and no one is there to play them again. Time has transformed them & nothing lasts forever. Karen's eye has focused on the "Whispered Memories" and shows us a closeup view of what remains.

"Artifacts"

     A room left with "Artifacts" from the past that leave the viewer questioning What happened?  Paint peeling from the walls, a coat and hat hanging lifelessly on a closed door, a large tractor tire leaning against the entrance to an adjourning room containing an empty bed frame.  Many questions unanswered except perhaps by one's imagination. 

      Karen Stringer gives the viewer pause to reflect on the "Vestiges" of the past captured by her camera and skill as a photographer.  Such interest seriously started when she began formal studies in photography in 2002 at the Smithsonian Institute, at the Washington School of Photography, and workshops led by teachers in the field that explored advancements in darkroom techniques and digital technology.  Her work shows those skills and talent admirably but also that she has the ability to see much more.  Share in Karen Rozbicki Stringer's work by visiting the Blue Whole Gallery on the 1st Friday, January 3rd  and throughout the month. This exhibit will open doors of imagination and allow you to view moments captured from past times that are fleetingly disappearing.  You can also reach her via: http://www.karenstringerphotography.com.



 Chisels, Hammer, solder joints, tools of the trade
 

Janine Hegy

Stonemason's tools

     Sharing the spotlight with photographer Karen Rozbicki Stringer at the Blue Whole Gallery on 1st Friday, January 3rd, 2014 will be artist member Janine Hegy.  Her art skills are two fold, a stone mason and a jeweler.  Both art mediums require the ability to transform natural stones or metal into shapes and forms. Janine's background in metal includes design and production work in Bali, Mexico and Thailand, starting in 1989.  As for stone work, she started in 1994 under the head of Swansons/Seattle and by 2003 joined the Stone Foundation, Drystone Conservancy and StoneFest. 

Deep Relief Face

Granite Butterflies

          In Janine's  hands, the use of chisel cuts and hammer blows to the surfaces of slate or limestone are thus  transformed.  As can be seen in her sculpture work of a deep relief face or the delicately carved forms of butterflies and flowered reliefs on stone stelae are produced.   This changes the appearance of flat surfaces and raises images that can be seen and touched.  The results gives testimony to Janine's skills and abilities in transforming a cold flat surface into a formed object to be seen, touched or to reveal carved inscriptions on slate and limestone.

    

"Forest Floor"

"Burst" etched silver

   Janine also deals with metals such as silver where etching and solder joints are used to shape & form strands of chains to encase semi-precious stones or to frame an etched pictorial view of leaves found on the forest floor.  But there are also the delicate elements of a necklace that links pearls and crystal beads together so they can be worn, admired and treasured by both the viewer and wearer.  

Pearl and crystal necklace

    Such is the scope and the world of artist Janine Hegy.  It is a place where, slate, granite, limestone, semi-precious stones, silver, pearls, coral are transformed and their appearances become in her hands changed. Give yourself an inspiring experience to view and admire her work at the Blue Whole Gallery on 1st Friday, January 3rd, and through out the month in the New Year of 2014.