My newest large works are imbued with details that might at first escape the eye, but as viewers linger, they begin to discover things that are intriguing or unexpected. A close look at the paintings reveals elements that add layers of understanding or that simply make for a more satisfying experience.

I use this detailed imagery to focus on the issues in our increasingly complicated world. The sheer amount of sensory information we have to deal with in a single day requires us to identify and edit out that which has no significance for us. We employ such tools as comparison and contrast to find the common threads in the visual world that, when linked together, create a version of reality that we can accept. The underlying grid in many of the pieces is an aid in that regard, a reminder that humanity has always used social structure as a way to organize civilizations, and thus bring order out of chaos.

I invite viewers to look for the structure that underlies each painting and also to inspect the details on both the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels, then form a conclusion about the events in the picture plane—forming their own “big picture.”

Kristin Lagasse is a traveling acoustic singer-songwriter, currently based out of Toronto. Her music reflects her troubador lifestyle, as well as the honesty and beauty of basic human emotions. Kristin writes from experience, hers or the people surrounding her, but most importantly she writes and performs from her heart and with all her heart.

I like to travel and all things nature. This exhibit is the result of these two interests. I like lichen, dead trees and different places. They are cool to me. I like the beauty of the petals on delicate flowers; I like appendages in symbiotic union; I like fruit boats; I like people who are made up for a show. Come and see them yourself. You will like them too.

The video installation "Land of Dilemmas" is a part of an on-going multimedia project by Olha Onyshko and Sarah Farhat, which also includes an interactive website and a full length documentary currently in production.

In the region of Galicia that is now Western Ukraine, during and after the Second World War, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were fueling ethnic conflicts among Ukrainians, Poles and Jews in order to advance their own political interests. This project features stories of people who had to face major dilemmas and who chose to do what's right rather than what's easy.

They refused to be caught up in the general hatred derived from inter-ethnic conflicts and risked everything in order to save the life not only of strangers, but also of members of an ethnic or religious group perceived to be their enemy.

The filmmakers want this piece to be more than just a video, and more than just a tool for recording memory. They want to use the project as a way to foster a dialog around issues that are still very sensitive today. The stories that show the best in people during the worst times will set the tone for a constructive dialog among the three communities at stake.

I am a painter and a photographer and find that these two media help feed each other, but in ways that aren't always readily apparent, although both depict the urban surround that informs what I do.

Photos of small plastic toys, urban architecture, and of people just passing through can spark larger (3 ft x 4 ft) acrylic paintings of media images from television and advertising, and more personal "word" painting containing imagery and text.

I am a member of HCAA (Hyattsville Community Artists Alliance) and of ArtDC. This will be my first participation in ARTOMATIC

On Painting: Scraped and Brushed, Pulled and Pushed
My painting is from a series of divergent strategies. One of building - the other of reducing. I do not believe that these approaches are counter-productive, quite the opposite - to continue covering the approaches of others - a purely reductive approach would essentially lead to nothing. (please note: nothing has already been done)

By using the medium as a viscous element, I feel that the; building, tearing down, and rebuilding is the true core of what painting is and should be. The image making that comes from this strategic approach to the true core of painting production will be clear, concise and rational. I would be foolish to believe that the end result would be dull or repetitious.

Approaches to this would be open to many interpretations and styles of image making. Clearly abstract approaches are largely the foremost concern, however figurative art could also be highly impactful. I am currently using a square or rectangle as a "unit" or "element" to the overall image. They (the elements) are clear and rational "building blocks" to develop future forms.

November 2006

Laughter - Fun - Silliness. These are the things we strive to inspire in ourselves and in others.

Kathy Lawler and Chris Fedderson combine their individual strengths and talents in creating unique whimsical artworks on canvas. Kathy, with her art background, is the predominant Visual Artist while Chris, the "Verbal Artist", uses his insights into language and grammar to add a plethora of puns and plays on words. These may be incorporated as design elements, titles, captions, or sly little "gotchas" which often evade notice on first glance. "Retro" and "Deco" are dominant themes in our work. These styles are inherently visually pleasing and are particularly fun to cartoon, giving us much to play with in our Wacky Work!

In our acrylic paintings on canvas, we use a multi-layering technique which gives our paintings a deep and brilliant look. This often results in colors seeming to "visually vibrate". To add design elements, to accentuate our vivid colors, and to set off our plethora of puns and wordplays, we use pen and ink. We prefer gallery wrap canvases which give our work a three dimensional feel. Both Chris and Kathy have a hand in the actual execution of the artwork.

My work is abstract expressionism using contrasting and harmonious colors with geometric shapes imposed over contrasting flat and textured surfaces.

I use strong colors in either earth tones or sharp arresting colors in opposition to each other.

My work is exclusively in acrylic on gallery wrap canvases creating textured paint surfaces by applying crumpled tissue paper or trowel marks. Frequently I use charcoal over the painted textured background to give greater depth to the surface.

Born in Saigon, Viet Nam, Sarah is a freelance photographer now residing in the suburbs of Washington, DC. The inspirations for her images come from her love of travel, and her appreciation for the simple beauty of every day life.

Sarah's fine art prints and her collection of greeting cards are available for purchase at Imagekind.

Whether it’s a sprawling landscape, a stack of chairs or a puddle of water, Karman Lee captures images that are refreshingly edgy and beautiful. Her penchant for the abstract, obsession with detail and eye for color contrast gives her photographs a unique style.

Karman’s work reflects her interest in landscapes, nature, abstract and geometric objects (shapes, lines and patterns). Karman has a passion for travel and is in constant pursuit of the next great shot.

Karman Lee was born and raised in Hong Kong. She attended college and worked in Boston, MA. She currently works in Washington, DC and resides in Arlington, VA.

What started as a show of 2-D photography has turned into an Installation piece. Without a single photo from my camera. Something different this time around.

Recently, I've found my work and creative interests slowly transitioning from representational photography (handtinted travel and landscape imagery) to more abstract pieces that are bright, colorful, layered, and full of detail and texture. These new pieces truly are a mixture of various media: slivers of layered paper, acrylics, wax, graphite, inks, vintage text, and found ephemera. I'm inspired by color, shape, line and design - visual elements continuing to contain balance after abstraction.

Landon Letzkus and John Lanou experiment with polyrhythms and harmonies within a larger structure that remains rhythmically and harmonically familiar. The duo plays guitar instrumental pieces.

Lenny Levy is a self-taught artist, short on artistic talent but long on creativity, who believes there is infinite beauty in the proper blending of colors and mediums. Lenny works primarily in acrylics on canvas, finding the unique properties of acrylics an excellent match for his style of painting. Lenny also seeks out unusual objects to include in his paintings, often found at discount stores and in the trash at his home and office. Lenny also uses trash instead of canvas as the ground for his original works of art. Lenny’s motto is one person’s trash can be made into another’s treasure.