Leah Giberson‘s unique process may be part of the reason that the familiar subjects of her mixed media works – houses, mobile homes, and other symbols of suburbia – take on an almost fantastical vitality. Look closer, they urge; there’s more than meets the eye here.
In the midst of mounting two solo shows (one in the New England area – see below), Leah let us peek into her workspace to see how she creates her arresting works.
I begin my paintings with photographic images printed onto archival photo rag paper. I often cut parts of the image out before adhering it to a wooden panel and then paint directly upon this surface, editing the original image as I go.
I paint over anything that feels extraneous or distracting, allowing the parts that resonate with me to be seen more clearly.
By the time I am done with the painting, there is very little (if any) of the original photographic image remaining.
Work by Leah Giberson is currently on exhibit at Nahcotta Gallery in Portsmouth, NH, running through July 31, 2010. Opening reception is July 2, 5-8 PM. Her solo show “This is What Remains” opens at Rare Device in San Francisco on July 9 (opening reception, 7-9 PM), and runs through August 31.
Online, you can see her work at leahgiberson.com, her Esty shop, on Flickr, and in Tiny Showcase.
Images: all images by Leah Giberson, acrylic on photographic print on panel; REAR VIEW, 9×12 in; two works in progress; WESTLAKE GOLD, 10×10 in; REVERE BEACH, 16×20 in; WESTLAKE GREEN, 8×8 in.
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