Karen Rand Anderson

#37: Pay attention. Be present. Allow transformation.
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#37: Pay attention. Be present. Allow transformation.

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reminders posted on my studio wall

The opening reception for “Allowing Transformation” is Saturday, Sept. 12… 5-7pm, at AS220’s Project Space, 93 Mathewson St. Providence RI. Check out my last post for more info and if you happen to be in town, stop by.

The show was installed on Sept. 1st– I was humbled and impressed by the precise, professional and perfect installation of my work by AS220 gallery director Neal T. Walsh and gallery assistant.

They spent over three hours hanging the show, measuring (to the 1/8 of an inch) so that the large four-panel paintings, as well as the works on paper, all 30×22 and suspended by rare earth Neodymium magnets, were hung right. 

In fact, there are three AS220 galleries, showing 5 different artists, and Sept. 12 will be a busy AS220 evening. Don’t miss it…

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September artists @ AS220 galleries: L to R: Karen Rand Anderson, Dan Crenca, Ryan Dean, John Housley, Tim Heibert

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#36: Another show, new work, and a revival of “Cleaning Up the Studio”

Since it’s been so long since I posted (three months, what?!?) I have to review how to create a blog post (WordPress keeps telling me it’s a piece of cake.) Like many things, “If you don’t use it, you lose it” {insert your own concept here}. In any case, as this sultry New England summer muddles along, I’m moved to begin writing again, and sharing art events, thoughts, possibilities.

I have another show coming up right over the horizon. “Allowing Transformation” new work by Karen Rand Anderson,  at the AS220 Project Space, 93 Mathewson St. in downtown Providence, RI will be on view from Sept 1- Sept 26, 2015, with an opening reception on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 5-7 PM.  AS220 is a complex and amazing successful, artist-run, non-profit organization that has played a key role in the revitalization of downtown Providence. Check it out. 

Waterfire in downtown Providence

Waterfire in downtown Providence

FYI– also on that Saturday eve, Waterfire will be in full swing downtown on the Providence River, and if you have never had the opportunity to experience it, well– maybe now’s the time. Just for the record… the restaurants in Prov are only getting better and better, and a new favorite is Red Fin Crudo & Kitchen. It’s conveniently located right down the block from The Project Space Gallery, and I imagine it’s where I will be headed after the opening…

Here’s the Facebook link to the event “Allowing Transformation” at the AS220 Project Space. If you’re in the area, please stop by. And maybe check out Red Fin.

“Finding Answers in Shadows” 22×30″. mixed media on 300# Fabriano paper. ©2015 Karen Rand Anderson

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#33: Reaching for beauty in troubled times

It’s just too sad, the world.

Preliminary sketch in my 11×14″ sketchbook of “Reaching for Beauty”

Lately I’ve been trying to fend off massive attacks of feeling rather worthless in the face of what’s going on in the world— I mean, the nasty stuff. The unbearable tragedies. The unforgivable actions of hatred, anger, violence. The incomprehensible behavior of those we call terrorists. The inexcusable shootings, kidnappings, rape, and other things too awful to mention. And of course, the other nasty stuff, like outbreaks of disease, hunger, and what-have-you.

As an artist, I am not trained to deal with global tragedy. As an overly sensitive soul, I have a hard time even processing it. As a relatively privileged and fortunate person, I grapple with guilt at how I can “help.”

My simple response has been to reach for beauty, and to make art that might offer some solace in troubled times.

To that end, my recent show “Reaching for Beauty” is now installed at a lovely little gallery in historic Wickford, RI: Coastal Living Gallery. Some new work, some not so new work, some little organic sculptures, some interesting thoughts. I am reaching for beauty these days, as the long cold winter and the incredibly sad state of affairs in the world have taken a toll on me. If by chance you find yourself in Rhode Island, please come join me for some joy, lots of color, and the opening reception of my show “Reaching for Beauty” on Saturday, April 11, 4-7 pm. (Awesome views from the deck, right on the water, in Wickford, RI.) Show runs from April 1-April 28, 2015.

p.s. To read a recent article and interview about my work, click here. As the author says, “A single artist might be powerless in impacting the world, but an individual can be profoundly changed by beauty.”

36x36", acrylic on wood panels. © 2015 Karen Rand Anderson

“Reaching for Beauty” 36×36″, acrylic on wood panels. © 2015 Karen Rand Anderson

Coastal Living Gallery

83 Brown Street North Kingstown (Historic Wickford) RI 02852

Located behind Beach Rose Café on the pier.

Open Tuesday – Friday 9:30-2:30 and by appointment, chance & special event. 401.612.6121

www.coastallivinggallery.com