A new exhibition at Shain Gallery delves into the serene still lifes of Karen Hollingsworth. Lately, the oil painter has been working on medium-sized works, typically 24-by-24 inches, feeling that this size allows her to focus on compositions that have a little more interest than small works can provide, without being massive. The exhibition features paintings Hollingsworth has been working on since June, crisp still lifes of objects like suitcases, packing boxes, bricks, teacups and books stacked together against a black backdrop in ways that feel methodical yet soothing. And there’s an element of dynamism to them as well, with living creatures like birds, some even in flight, or rabbits. 
The Librarians, oil on canvas, 30 x 30"
The birds, Hollingsworth explains, steadily developed out of an older series by the artist, her well-known WindowScapes, in which she creates simple compositions depicting a safe, cozy window from the inside looking out into some “powerful outside element like the ocean or mountains.” During this time, Hollingsworth meditated often and could hear or would imagine birds landing on the window sill. “They just made me feel so comforted, these little birds,” she says, and she started adding them to her windowscapes. “They added a sense of life and movement and the painting just came alive to me.” 
Bearing Gifts, oil on canvas, 24 x 24"
Rest Stop, oil on canvas, 24 x 24"
In one of Hollingsworth’s show pieces, Wanderlust, four bunnies huddle together in an open suitcase, on top of which perches a female cardinal. “I put it up on social media and I got almost double the likes I normally get. I don’t know why that is, but it struck a chord and I’m really excited to continue doing that [idea of] animals inside of suitcases,” says Hollingsworth, adding that she wants to do crows, owls and cats all in suitcases.
Wanderlust, oil on canvas, 24 x 24"
“If you’re going to spend this much time painting, you want it to really be from your heart. Sometimes when I’m looking at a subject matter, it’s almost like my hand is itching to create that. To reproduce what I’m looking at. I want to dive in and feel the textures and colors on my canvas,” says the artist. “I want everything I do from here on out to be inspired by that thing inside of you which I can’t explain.”
Shain Gallery will be showing Hollingsworth’s paintings from October 8 to 20. —
Shain Gallery
2823 Selwyn Avenue, Suite K • Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 334-7744 • www.shaingallery.com
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