Part II An Exclusive Interview with Artist Andrea T Kemp for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

ANDREA T KEMP

flight of the imagination

MAR 9 TO 312012

gala opening reception Mar 9 5 - 9

all works are available prior to opening

all paintings may be viewed on line at SaksGalleries.com

enjoy an exclusive video interview online at Saks Galleries.com

Please enjoy this four part exclusive interview with artist Andrea T Kemp written for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek by noted author Rosemary Carstens. Andrea will discuss, where ideas come from, style and color, process and other thoughts.

ANDREA KEMP ON STYLE AND COLOR

Q: I once heard an eminent watercolorist say that there is no such thing as “style”—paintings consist of thousands of personal choices and decisions made by an artist and it is the result of all those that is referred to as style. Your paintings have a quiet beauty and grace to them regardless of subject matter. How would you define your work?

A: Although I enjoy hearing people’s different takes on my art, I am trying not to be branded, known for only one type of subject matter or style. Rather than be called a “figurative artist,” a “still life painter,” or a “classical realist,” I would like to simply become known for my ability to render a wide variety of subjects well, to experiment and surprise my audience, yet have the finished works recognizable as my own—the result of a myriad of considered decisions about technique, color, and craftsmanship.

Q: What about color? Do you have a preferred palette?

A: I use primary colors as my base: cadmium yellow, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. As supporting colors, I prefer warm and cool versions of each primary color: cadmium red medium, alizarin crimson, transparent red oxide, van dyke brown, sap green, cerulean blue, cobalt blue, and ivory black.

The colors I use will vary from painting to painting, and usually my inspiration for a piece dictates the color harmony. But my palette stays pretty much the same, with only occasional tweaks or changes, which lets me easily manipulate it to do exactly what I want.

image: Desert Landscape 16 x 12 oil on board

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

3019 EAST 2ND AVE DENVER CO 80206 303 333 4144 SAKSGALLERIES.COM

Rosemary Carstens writes for several national arts magazines and publishes an award-winning online magazine, FEAST, about books, art, food, film, and travel. She is the author of two books with a third presently being researched. For more information: http://www.CarstensCommunications.com and http://www.FEASTofBooks.com.

An Exclusive Saks Galleries Interview with Andrea T Kemp Part One

ANDREA T KEMP

flight of the imagination

MAR 9 TO 312012

gala opening reception Mar 9 5 - 9

all works are available prior to opening

all paintings may be viewed on line at SaksGalleries.com

enjoy an exclusive video interview online at Saks Galleries.com

Please enjoy this four part exclusive interview with artist Andrea T Kemp written for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek by noted author Rosemary Carstens. Andrea will discuss, where ideas come from, style and color, process and other thoughts.

ANDREA KEMP ON WHERE IDEAS COME FROM

Q: You seem inspired by a range of subject matter. Where do your ideas for new paintings come from? You once told me that you identified with a vivid description from the famous poet Ruth Stone when she wrote about the source of her inspiration. Could you talk about that?

A: That’s right. Ruth Stone once said that, when she was growing up in rural Virginia, she’d be out working in the fields and would feel and hear a poem coming at her like a thunderous train, barreling down on her, shaking the ground beneath her feet. The only thing she could do was run like hell to the house for a pencil and paper to get it down before it raced past her in search of another poet. That’s how it is for me. An idea for a painting emerges, growing stronger and stronger, sort of grabbing me by the neck—refusing to let go until I’ve placed the last brushstroke!

My journey as a painter takes me to new places; it offers unique ideas and challenges paralleling other events in my life. Painting is a teacher and its possibilities are boundless. It’s a large part of who I am and its meaning is ever changing—and, as it does, what I’m drawn to paint changes too.

image: Ravens 24 x 24 oil on board

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

3019 EAST 2ND AVE DENVER CO 80206 303 333 4144 SAKSGALLERIES.COM

Rosemary Carstens writes for several national arts magazines and publishes an award-winning online magazine, FEAST, about books, art, food, film, and travel. She is the author of two books with a third presently being researched. For more information: http://www.CarstensCommunications.com and http://www.FEASTofBooks.com.

Andrea T Kemp "Flight of the Imagination" Saks Galleries Denver Colorado

ANDREA T KEMP

flight of the imagination

MAR 9 TO 312012

gala opening reception Mar 9 5 - 8 pm

all works available prior to opening

view all works on line at SaksGalleries.com

read an exclusive interview with Andrea T Kemp at SaksGalleries.com blog page

exclusive video interview with Andrea T. Kemp for Saks Galleries

image: unraveled 24 x 36 oil on board

< return to SaksGalleries.com

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

3019 EAST 2ND AVE DENVER CO 80206 303 333 4144 SAKSGALLERIES.COM

Jill Soukup Demonstration This Saturday at Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

Jill Soukup

"Horses and Other Thoughts"

Demonstration

Saturday, February 4, 2012

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Jill Soukup "Winded" 36 x 36 oil on canvas

An Afternoon with the Artist Jill Soukup

Light Refreshments Served

Final Days to View Jill Soukup's Exhibition

Details and Additional Works

visit www.saksgalleries.com

Enjoy Saks Galleries Exclusive Video Interview with Jill

Read our blogs for an exclusive four-part interview with Jill Soukup

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

3019 East Second Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80206 303.333.4144

Coming Up

Fresh Works from Edward Aldrich, William Berra, Jane Christie, Jane DeDecker, Daniel Glanz, Michael Godfrey, Veryl Goodnight, Walt Gonske, Barry Kooser, Joseph Lorusso, Skye Mason, Mary Qian, Pati Stajcar and more.

AND

Gala Exhibition Opening Friday, March 9th

Andrea T. Kemp

"Flight of the Imagination"

March 9 - March 31, 2012

A Personal Interview with American Artist Jill Soukup Part IV

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

is honored to present

Jill Soukup

"Horses and Other Thoughts"

Opening Night Reception

January 13, 2012

Jill Soukup "About Face" 24 x 21.5 oil

The following is the last in our four part interview with Jill Soukup written by Rosemary Carstens exclusively for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek - Denver, Colorado. The series has covered Jill's thoughts on subject matter, style and color, process and motivation. We invite you to forward questions to us at info@saksgalleries.com or join our blogpage. Please join us as we celebrate the art of American Artist Jill Soukup at Saks Galleries Cherry Creek Denver, Colorado. January 13, 2012.

WHAT COLLECTORS, COLLEAGUES, AND STUDENTS SAY ABOUT JILL SOUKUP’S WORK

“I had such a good experience in Jill Soukup’s workshops—I took two of them. Her approach is personal, class size is small, and she helps each person understand what they need to work on and how to improve. She’s very giving and brings a lot of positive energy to her classes.”

— student Karen Roberts

The Interview

JILL SOUKUP ON MOTIVATION

Q: Artists seem to have an inner life that drives them to create. Being a professional artist has many challenges—long hours, dealing with criticism or rejection, constantly working to improve and develop their skills, just to name a few. What is it that propels you forward, keeps you at the easel?

A: I believe the spiritual and emotional part of any artist’s work is largely about finding ones own voice—getting excited about subject matter and craft, exploring, and retaining a sense of play. For me, “play” includes investigating dynamic compositions, color, and texture. There’s something that goes on beyond what humans readily sense that I’ve always been curious about. Recently I’ve been focused on how art elicits emotion and the impact those feelings have on our lives. God, our feelings, and our actions are all interconnected.

for more information on Jill Soukup use this quick link to Saks Galleries.

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek 3019 East Second Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206

303.333.4144

www.saksgalleries.com

Jill Soukup "Horses and Other Thoughts" January 13 - February 4, 2012

Demonstrations January 14 and February 4, 2012 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

All art is available prior to the opening night gala.

Rosemary Carstens writes for several national arts magazines and publishes an award-winning online magazine, FEAST, about books, art, food, film, and travel. She is the author of two books with a third presently being researched. For more information: http://www.CarstensCommunications.com and http://www.FEASTofBooks.com.

Read more about Jill Soukup in Western Art Collector January 2012 issue page 60

A Personal Interview with Artist Jill Soukup Part III

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

is honored to present

Jill Soukup

"Horses and Other Thoughts"

Opening Night Reception

January 13, 2012

Jill Soukup "This Way and That" 36 x 36 oil

The following is an excerpt from a four part interview with Jill Soukup written by Rosemary Carstens exclusively for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek - Denver, Colorado. The series will cover Jill's thoughts on subject matter, style and color, process and motivation. We invite you to forward questions to us at info@saksgalleries.com or join our blog page. Join us as we celebrate American Artist Jill Soukup latest works January 13, 2012 at Saks Galleries Denver.

WHAT COLLECTORS, COLLEAGUES, AND STUDENTS SAY ABOUT JILL SOUKUP’S WORK

“Jill’s love of abstract patterns and contrasting shapes in subject matter from buildings to organic subjects makes her work unique. Her skillful impasto paint application reveals rich, beautiful marbling of colors and provides important textural impact.” - Jake Gaedtke

The Interview

JILL SOUKUP ON PROCESS

Q: Your architectural scenes in particular have an authoritative sensibility to them. These are bold statements enhanced by their strong textural qualities. Could you talk about your process and how you achieve that?

A: I’m always on the lookout for unconventional materials I can use to apply paint that will result in unusual surface effects. For example, although I use the regular array of artists’ brushes, I also will load paint on hardware-store trowels in various widths and coarser house-painting brushes, lavishing broad swathes onto the canvas or board.

Q: Do you paint alla prima or is there a lot of work that goes on before you put brush to canvas for a new painting?

A: My preparation process is intensive. I take a long time to go through my stash of images and reference materials, sorting out the strongest. Then I narrow those down even further and print out the ones I like best. I might sketch up my idea from there or even use Photoshop to work through possible compositions. I want to get the structure of the piece really clear in my mind, to work out the nuts and bolts of color and design before I begin to paint. If I have the basics all mapped out, it’s easier to depart from them in more expressive ways. I’ll often then begin by sketching a line drawing onto the canvas or brushing on a thin oil wash in complimentary colors. I work the whole canvas from one end to the other, beginning on the right side since I’m left handed.

for more information on Jill Soukup use this quick link to Saks Galleries.

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek 3019 East Second Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206

303.333.4144

www.saksgalleries.com

Jill Soukup "Horses and Other Thoughts" January 13 - February 4, 2012

Demonstrations January 14 and February 4, 2012 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

All art is available prior to the opening night gala.

Rosemary Carstens writes for several national arts magazines and publishes an award-winning online magazine, FEAST, about books, art, food, film, and travel. She is the author of two books with a third presently being researched. For more information: http://www.CarstensCommunications.com and http://www.FEASTofBooks.com.

Jill Soukup a Personal Interview - Part II Style and Color

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek

is honored to present

Jill Soukup

"Horses and Other Thoughts"

opening reception

January 13, 2012

Jill Soukup "Railyard Medley" 24.5 x 52 oil

WHAT COLLECTORS, COLLEAGUES, AND STUDENTS SAY ABOUT JILL SOUKUP’S WORK

Looking at one of Jill Soukup’s paintings, we can focus on a single brushstroke – or even a combination of several brushstrokes. Each one is a powerful work of art. These ‘building blocks’ become recognizable objects – a horse or a building for example. Soukup’s creative synthesis of abstraction and realism surpasses artistic breakthroughs such as ‘Impressionism’ or ‘Cubism’ to offer the viewer something new, Jill’s unique signature style. - Catherine Saks

The Interview

The following is an excerpt from a four part interview with Jill Soukup written by Rosemary Carstens exclusively for Saks Galleries Cherry Creek - Denver, Colorado. The series will cover Jill's thoughts on subject matter, style and color, process and motivation. We invite you to forward questions to us at info@saksgalleries.com or join our blog page.

JILL SOUKUP ON STYLE AND COLOR

Q: Your singular style sets your work apart. You’ve been called a contemporary realist, but that seems an insufficient description. How would you categorize yourself as an artist?

A: I think it would be more accurate to describe my work as Realism tempered by Expressionism. My goal is to create a more abstract notion of each subject and rely more on concepts of color theory than the true-to-life colors present in a scene.

Q: When it comes to color, your work is remarkably individualistic. Would you say it’s a hallmark of your style?

A: Early in my career, color was a nagging frustration, but it has turned into a passionate obsession. I’m very interested in color theory, especially color chords—those combinations of colors that work together harmoniously—and I make conscious choices throughout each painting to achieve that. Each color note contributes to the symphony of the whole. The writings of Johannes Itten, the Swiss expressionist associated with the Bauhaus school have been a big influence on me. I might juxtapose complimentary colors, for example, to achieve a bold, striking note. Or, I might choose analogous colors accented by a third for another distinct effect. As a painting progresses, color has an important impact on its overall mood, its emotional impact.

<< for more information on Jill Soukup use this quick link to Saks Galleries.

Saks Galleries Cherry Creek 3019 East Second Avenue Denver, Colorado 80206

303.333.4144

www.saksgalleries.com

Jill Soukup "Horses and Other Thoughts" January 13 - February 4, 2012
Demonstrations January 14 and February 4, 2012 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

All art is available prior to the opening night gala

Rosemary Carstens writes for several national arts magazines and publishes an award-winning online magazine, FEAST, about books, art, food, film, and travel. She is the author of two books with a third presently being researched. For more information: http://www.CarstensCommunications.com and http://www.FEASTofBooks.com.