For Under the Same Sky,an upcoming exhibition of new and recent works by Lindsey Kustusch at Abend Gallery, the artist explains she “dedicated this collection of paintings to all living things, including us and our manmade world, as well as the pieces to the puzzle that have shaped me as an artist.”
Below the Noise, oil on panel, 10 x 20 in.
Kustusch describes herself as “a longtime city dweller, and a lifetime animal lover and advocate.” Her urban landscapes, such as Below the Noise, capture the vibrancy of the city. In an interview for an earlier exhibition of her work she said, “How can you not fall completely head over heels in love with San Francisco the moment you arrive? I am continuously humbled by its beauty.”
The Sumatran Tiger, oil on wood panel, 30 x 30 in.
On her work today, she says, “Ever since I was little, I’ve had a deep love and personal connection with animals, which is why I think it’s taken me so long to paint them in a more serious way. There is already a built-in vulnerability to creating a piece of art, so I’ve been careful not to add to that pressure. But as my career has evolved, I’ve realized that taking risks and painting what you truly love is what makes great art. Remembering that vulnerability is where growth happens.”
There’s Always Magic in the Garden, oil on panel, 24 x 18 in.
Sometimes drawn to painting in plein air, Kustusch prefers to work in her studio where she can edit her photos and sketch out ideas for her paintings. “I’m definitely someone who needs time to process in order to make more interesting creative choices, so having a controlled environment allows me to slow down and give each piece the space it needs to develop. Even though I feel like I never produce my best work outdoors, each session teaches me something. Sometimes it’s in the literal sense of the true-to-life color and value of a scene, but mostly it’s the benefits of not being in control and allowing my instincts to take the wheel.”
In the Golden Haze of Autumn, oil on panel, 36 x 18 in.
About painting In the Golden Haze of Autumn in her studio, she explains, “I knew I wanted the warmth of the environment to radiate from within, so I began with a highly saturated, darker version of each color in the palette. Applying this layer with a variety of tools and textures, I then wiped away the paint to expose the white of the canvas, building up the shapes and forms. This immediately adds a ‘glow’ to the overall look that is hard to achieve with opaque paint application. From there, the experimenting begins with how to add paint in the subsequent layers that will eventually create a painting with depth, a bit of realism and even mystery in how it was created.”
Under the Same Sky opens with a reception on November 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. and hangs through November 29. —
Abend Gallery 1261 Delaware Street • Denver, CO 80204 (303) 355-0950 • www.abendgallery.com
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