by Mary McClellan
Introduction
Billed in the LLI catalog as studio discussions with six working artists who live in our hyperlocal area, “Deep Dive into Abstract Art“ emerged as a bright star in our fall semester galaxy that contained several stars. Produced by L. Walker and curated by abstract artist Jean Feinberg, some lucky LLI members were treated to an intimate learning experience in which artists disclosed their passion, backstories, and techniques. The class was treated to lively and often moving personal discussions on what the art was and how it made them feel.
To get a taste of the class experience, check out this video produced by L. Walker: LLI Studio Discussion.
Jean Feinberg, Moderator
The inspiration for using Jean as a moderator rather than as one of the six artists whose studio we visited was born out of necessity. So many artists agreed to participate in this program that there was little room on the calendar for another.
Jean’s background gave her unique license to be our guide, the common thread that ran through all the visits. She posed the “big questions” to all the artists, ranging from things like “How do you use color, shape, and texture?” to “Does abstraction allow you to explore in ways other than from life?”
The Artists
This course would not have been possible without the talented artists who opened up their studios to LLI. Here are links to their websites:
Fellow artist Jean Feinberg was our moderator and guide extraordinaire. She is a former professor of fine arts at both Bard and SUNY and was the guiding spirit of the program.
Margaret Saliske is a multi-media sculptural artist, whose work explores how we see the natural world and man-made objects that reside in it. She describes her recent work as having “no obvious references to recognizable imagery.” Hudson, NY
Joel Longenecker creates abstractions in oil paint that are thickly layered with broad gestural strokes and often embeds other materials to create references to the processes in nature. Red Hook, NY
Jeanette Fintz is an abstract painter who uses repetition and counterpoint based on invented systems and patterns created from symmetrical grids. Hudson, NY
Pamela J. Wallace creates wall-hung sculptural objects, collages, and installations that are made with a wide variety of materials, from handmade paper and beeswax to welded steel. Germantown, NY
Kylie Heidenheimer is an abstract painter who alternates between creating areas of open atmosphere and incision-like lines in her work to create what she calls “tension between infinity and immediacy.” Hudson, NY
Stephen Westfall explores the relationship between painting and architecture in his larger-than-life geometric pieces. His minimalist style uses bright, bold colors that are visually striking. Clermont, NY
Rave Reviews
Several participants offered rave reviews, saying that this was perhaps the best class they had taken at LLI. Jean Feinberg not only introduced the class to her artist colleagues but also offered her insight and knowledge of abstract art while drawing out the artists and encouraging them to share. Class manager Ellen Sturtz shared the initial idea to do studio visits and, along with fellow class manager Vicki Hoener, they helped guide our students through the six locations.
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