May/June: Kate Merritt-Davis

"My primary compositions are landscapes and non-representational forms. Rich lines of color and graphite move between planes and forms in my paintings, merging and connecting separate objects with my transitory thoughts. I work intuitively with heightened color and value contrasts and then find my thought process has been captured in the form of an abstract place."

-Kate Merritt-Davis
www.katemerrittdavis.com

July/August: Sharon Leader & Karen White

Opening Reception: Friday, July 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in The Library

"I began drawing and painting at an early age, and went on to earn a B.A. in studio art at UAB. Over the last two years, I’ve done watercolors of native plants and flowers, and began a series of acrylic paintings last fall in which I’ve tried to create small, jewel-like scenes of forest life." -Sharon Leader

"As a refugee from corporate life, my interest in nature photography blossomed after moving to rural Blount County. Inspiration arises from exploring the woods surrounding my home, but sometimes subjects just seem to present themselves at the front door. I'm especially fond of the whimsical in nature, and am always seeking clues to the secret life of flowers, both in the wild and in the garden." -Karen White

Opening Reception: Friday, September 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in The Library

Kirkell’s large silk floral paintings bring a freshness and lightness to the exploration of both the Orchid and the Iris. His paintings are a direct result of his time spent in Java Indonesia where he studied batik and textile design under Master Batik Artist, Bambang Oetoro at the Batik Research Institute of Indonesia. While in the United States Peace Corps, he spent time in the Philippines and Southeast Asia furthering his interest in orchid collecting and floral design. Kirkell’s studies have also taken him to Ohio State University and eArt Students League in New York.
www.kirksilkstudios.com