A Solo Exhibition by Karen Mason
June 2-July 9, 2023
Closing Reception: Saturday, July 8, 3-6pm
“The most interesting art in the world has an element of contradiction, where the quiet of the atmosphere or setting is countered with a strong line or bold color. Be it the pairing of Eros & Thanatos, Ying & Yang, or just This & That, a visual story emerges that draws one in, peaks and holds interest, and inspires one to create and evolve it into their own.”
Karen Mason captures a range of emotion in the “Whisper, Whistle & Shout” exhibition at ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, CA, June 2 – July 8, 2023. An Opening Reception will be held on June 3rd from 3-6pm, with live music, appetizers, and drinks.
Karen’s intention is to deliver a range of emotion by pushing and pulling on the element of contradictions and opposites in her new exhibit, "Whisper, Whistle & Shout." Influenced by her Italian heritage and immersion in Asian culture, Karen presents a collection of both serene and vibrant resin paintings that balance nature’s splendor and imperfection in a unique Renaissance wabi-sabi style.
Karen’s heritage and cultural immersion are evident in her resin paintings, as is her study of California landscapes using glazing techniques to achieve depth, color and movement to convey emotion. She expresses a unique contemporary flair in her botanical bird and floral paintings through the combination of bold lines, vibrant texture, and luminous atmosphere. Her "Whisper, Whistle & Shout" paintings draw viewers in to first experience the warmth of the images from across the room, and upon approach be delighted with the depth of the scene, be it the three-dimensional effect or the detail of budding relationships and interactions.
"Whisper"
Luminous atmosphere paintings honor the quiet meditation found in the fog layers of the morning-start or long shadows of the afternoon-heat, where one longs to stretch and inhale the surroundings of yet another incredible place and day. Each piece holds its own, creating a quiet home that allows one to recall such quiet moments and cherished memories.
"Whistle"
Bold-lined paintings of sun-drenched birch and gingko trees set the mood and serve as inspirational focal points, capturing the simplicity of traditional woodblock design and the splendor of landscapes. The multi-panel pieces are reminiscent of Asian folding screens and can be arranged to suit their surroundings.
"Shout"
Vibrant textured ink paintings capture action and activity, be it small songbirds or windblown sunflowers that make you want to dance along. Colorful cocktail, bird, fruit, and veggie themed paintings created in collaboration with fellow ACCI artist, Margaret Dorfman utilize a unique backdrop of parchment made from real fruit and vegetables.
Karen achieves a unique translucent atmospheric effect through multiple resin pours over oil, acrylic and ink on cradled board. Painting in this technique allows her to convey experiences in a meaningful way, holding the moments together with layers of color and bold lines that connect and clarify the relationship of the subjects to their surroundings. She starts with either raw pine or mahogany, or adheres parchment (Japanese hemp paper, or fruit and vegetable sheets) to the cradled board. A first layer of resin is poured over the piece and once dried the surface is sanded to prepare it for painting. Karen then uses a medley of color in between four to seven layers of resin for each painting to create the feeling of depth. She achieves a soft, matte semi-transparent effect by finishing off the piece with a final sanding and top layer that resembles encaustic but is both durable and soft to the touch.
Karen Mason’s paintings can be found in private and corporate collections around the world. She believes that the growing interest in her paintings is grounded in having learned to “look at the world” rather than just see it.
“I am grateful that my garden studio offers the opportunity to paint outdoors in Berkeley, California, and this is where you will find me most days.”
Karen’s intention is to deliver a range of emotion by pushing and pulling on the element of contradictions and opposites in her new exhibit, "Whisper, Whistle & Shout." Influenced by her Italian heritage and immersion in Asian culture, Karen presents a collection of both serene and vibrant resin paintings that balance nature’s splendor and imperfection in a unique Renaissance wabi-sabi style.
Karen’s heritage and cultural immersion are evident in her resin paintings, as is her study of California landscapes using glazing techniques to achieve depth, color and movement to convey emotion. She expresses a unique contemporary flair in her botanical bird and floral paintings through the combination of bold lines, vibrant texture, and luminous atmosphere. Her "Whisper, Whistle & Shout" paintings draw viewers in to first experience the warmth of the images from across the room, and upon approach be delighted with the depth of the scene, be it the three-dimensional effect or the detail of budding relationships and interactions.
"Whisper"
Luminous atmosphere paintings honor the quiet meditation found in the fog layers of the morning-start or long shadows of the afternoon-heat, where one longs to stretch and inhale the surroundings of yet another incredible place and day. Each piece holds its own, creating a quiet home that allows one to recall such quiet moments and cherished memories.
"Whistle"
Bold-lined paintings of sun-drenched birch and gingko trees set the mood and serve as inspirational focal points, capturing the simplicity of traditional woodblock design and the splendor of landscapes. The multi-panel pieces are reminiscent of Asian folding screens and can be arranged to suit their surroundings.
"Shout"
Vibrant textured ink paintings capture action and activity, be it small songbirds or windblown sunflowers that make you want to dance along. Colorful cocktail, bird, fruit, and veggie themed paintings created in collaboration with fellow ACCI artist, Margaret Dorfman utilize a unique backdrop of parchment made from real fruit and vegetables.
Karen achieves a unique translucent atmospheric effect through multiple resin pours over oil, acrylic and ink on cradled board. Painting in this technique allows her to convey experiences in a meaningful way, holding the moments together with layers of color and bold lines that connect and clarify the relationship of the subjects to their surroundings. She starts with either raw pine or mahogany, or adheres parchment (Japanese hemp paper, or fruit and vegetable sheets) to the cradled board. A first layer of resin is poured over the piece and once dried the surface is sanded to prepare it for painting. Karen then uses a medley of color in between four to seven layers of resin for each painting to create the feeling of depth. She achieves a soft, matte semi-transparent effect by finishing off the piece with a final sanding and top layer that resembles encaustic but is both durable and soft to the touch.
Karen Mason’s paintings can be found in private and corporate collections around the world. She believes that the growing interest in her paintings is grounded in having learned to “look at the world” rather than just see it.
“I am grateful that my garden studio offers the opportunity to paint outdoors in Berkeley, California, and this is where you will find me most days.”