Astratta on exhibit

Selected Abstracts by Katheryn OldShield, Featured Artist
APRIL 1st through May 31st, 2013
@ Roots Coffeehouse,
9101 Blvd 26, Suite101, North Richland Hills TX 76180
1

Written, Designed, Produced, Photographed, and
Distributed by the Artist, Katheryn OldShield-Mukai
For Promotional and Documentary Purposes.
Limited rights of reproduction granted to
ROOTS COFFEEHOUSE for the promotion and support
of the Exhibit being Hosted.
©2013 Katheryn OldShield-Mukai
2

This is a story of change
portended. It came from
a dream image that
would not leave me until I
expressed the image,
and still it haunted. But
now I know…my life span
is laid out in thirds, with
three distinctive “seasons”
of unique achievement.
And it is now
THIRD MOON RISING…
Emerging Artist.
12 x 12 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
3

Through out the time
intervening the rendering of
THREE MOONS and these
next three pieces I had a
brief season of exercises. I
painted by invitation in an
old roadside café, a piece of
fading “Americana”…one of
the regulars donated some
unused marketing bags in a
synthetic canvas, and I
carefully tried to sand off the
advertising, blocked an 8x10
area and practiced painting
non–representational
abstracts on one side, and
usually NC seascapes on the
other.: Sold a few, gave
others away. These 3 pieces
were my first attempt at a
serigraph to be hung in
another small local business.
Two worked well together,
and #3 has another story.
20 x 16 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
4

Why these colors? When I
was quite young, I was
gifted a special art
class…and that teacher
had this thing for mixing
every color with yellow
ochre. It seems I only
knew how to paint with
those solid, grounded
colors: Siennas, Umbers,
Ochre. The good news is
the primaries were calling
to me as well, and the
Cadmiums in their rich
yellows and oranges
would draw me out to a
wider palette in due
course. I had to really
work to know how to use
colors well.
20 x 16 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
5

KATHERYN OLDSHIELD
WORKING ARTIST
THE “WHY”:
Working the materials that create the rendering, my
attention is not only to technical execution, but
watching for that visceral response that conveys
emotion. Even as I consider source material--be they
from life, from photographs, even from memory or
imagination--I am scanning everything to solve for
myself what keeps my curiosity. Where does my eye
land repeatedly? Why? Where do my thoughts wander
to with repetition? Then the question shifts to whether I
want to bring this forward--If I do, then, by what means?
Some are boldly presented, but increasingly I choose
something more subtle, teasing.
h 6

KATHERYN OLDSHIELD
WORKING ARTIST
Common Questions:
How long does it take to bring a piece to canvas?
Literally some things take all of one's living, because so much of life
has to be experienced then examined, to be translated visually.
On the other hand, not every piece is an “end all” statement--that
gets too heavy anyways. Painting is but necessary process: The joy of
doing, the joy of creating, the joy of play.
Alternatively, it is discipline. To developing the concepts, figuring out
how to keep it fresh, original, uniquely one’s own. Then working,
painting daily, addressing questions of technicality, pressing a process
to achieve a skill development--even the exercise of being "non-
representational" is process, the same as executing an accurate and
true representation such as a classic portraitist must do. I can do,
have done, both, preferring to work somewhere in-between; a bit
surreal sometimes, a bit expressionist other times. I enjoy mixing it
up. Regardless the viewer's age, I hope there is some fresh perception
born in the viewer, a connection is forged.
7

There was a deadline for
work to be hung, and
no.3 of the 3 canvas
piece was NOT working,
just not. Decision called
for action, so I just
delivered and hung two.
It was totally my call on
both ends anyways. That
evening I arrived home,
tired, walked in my
bedroom and about
jumped out of my skin—
from a mirror I could see a
man walking forward
from the painting left
behind…for weeks I tried
to gently coax him
forward, to show his face,
to know the treasure he
carried.
I did meet his dog.
20 x 16 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
8

My initial inspiration for this
piece was a contrast
between fields of colors in
another piece. As I worked
out my composition a
destructive storm passed
nearby, and my neighbor
and I stood out in a
protected area to watch
the clouds twist, and then
the hail to fall. When I
returned these images had
their way with my work, for
better, or for worse. Me,
I’ve been tempted to
repurpose this canvas, but
enough people have said,
“No, it talks to me!”
So I let it speak.
24 x 18 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
9

The transition to brighter colors, the true primaries, the secondary
colors are lighter, took some pushing, but I think this shows
progress. Even got playful with new tools, some collage.
24 x 18 inches
Mixed Media on Canvas
10

Another in that playful, light hearted mood…just a hint of the
earthy warm sienna being swept into a lighter “possible!”
perspective.
24 x 18 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
11

Translates as “heat” from the Latin—it hints of the pressure of
the ying-yang of change. There is fury, but hope, there is
resistence even in the undenied sweep.
24 x 18 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
12

In 2012 I moved to Texas,
about a year after my
mother passed at age
97. It was thinking of the
wonder of her life, and
how she was lifted up
and the old just slid away
that inspired me to paint
“Ascension 1”
I call it Ascension 1 (One)
because I think it is a
theme I will return to from
time to time to explore. It
also reminds me of smoke
from a good campfire in
the mid-seasons, a fire just
for companionship and
conversation, and the
telling of tales. Shared
memories. And prayers.
20 x 16 inches
Charcoal and Oil on Canvas
13

This began as another of the
Ascension series, but after
painting, it was TOO much
fun…actually, painting it was
sheer fun!…And it was
season of Carnival. Figures
sway with joy and abandon,
sensual with noise of color
flashing heat of the
moment, a debauchery.
But maybe that is part and
parcel of ascension as well.
What are your thoughts?
20 x 16 inches
Charcoal and Oil on Canvas
14

This is a piece that defies
me. It wasn’t what I
wanted it to be, but it is
something that is and
appeals…haven’t found
the “cure” …so I take it as it
is: Non-representational,
but seeming to try ….to be
more non - or more
representational?
I don’t know. But there’s
some balance of
heat…with icy fingers
reaching…
20 x 16 inches
Charcoal and OIl on Canvas
15

My “where in time” series was more accident than plan. It
was playing with paint and process to develop composition,
line texture—then the orbs appeared—long absent from my
work for about a year, and the concept of time seem to fit.
11 x 14 inches Framed
Acrylic on Pressed Paper
16

The next in the series were worked on hand made rag paper
from India, and the deckled edges preserved. Again a
practice of being loose, experimental, then the orbs.
Acrylic on Pressed Rag Paper
17

Ah, don’t we all have a time of it trying to coordinate
our busy lives, trying to connect with significant
others…that frustration certainly reflects in this piece.
18

Some times some little storm comes through our lives,
and by comparison, it seems like a clean sweep of
conflicts, of “stuff”, of even time…
19

Faces are a universal
fascination….from infancy
we seek to bond with our
mother/caretaker’s face.
With rare exception, we are
all drawn to study another’s
face, to understand, to read
it. This is the back story on
this series I anticipate will be
ongoing, to take photos of
a face that holds my
attention, then study it until it
becomes a memory, using
software to distort the thing
and then let me see more,
and once ingrained, I can
paint without reference,
except the first
compositional sketch . From
there I play.
20 x 16 inches
Acrylic and Oil on Canvas
20

This is one of those works
that took on a life of it’s
own. Yes, I had a specific
subject, reference photos. I
had done my usual
preparations for the next
piece of the series with
studying and internalizing
the lines and planes of the
face, lit from a lamp at the
side. Then I started
painting, and the rendering
flowed with curves and
colors all it’s own. And then
said, “That’s it.” A rich,
emotionally complex face
both warm, and cold.
20 x 16 inches
Acrylic and Oil on Canvas
21

The subject of this rendering is
taken from a photograph
from about 100 years ago,
someone unknown to me but
whose face fascinated me
by both overall balance, and
a steady gaze, and it is that
gaze that held me. As I
began work on the toned
canvas whose own textures
were playing a part, I realized
that I was not going to add
further color than that of the
charcoal, for the gaze was
holding dominance as it
should, and the lines
suggested a gentle aging
becoming of an ageless
grace. The gaze—what
emotion does it reveal?
It’s not unlike Mona Lisa’s
smile for mystery.
20 x 16 inches
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
22

KATHERYN OLDSHIELD
WORKING ARTIST
History…or Her Story:
Age being addressed, I've lived long enough to finish
several levels of credentialed education, none in art,
though as a youngster I was recognized as gifted and
awarded a year of special education within a museum
classroom setting. That experience actually served to
turn me "off" art, and my creativity was applied in other
settings, with great practicality. I am also old enough to
have had that “professional” career, raised that sweet
family to maturity, even lived abroad on several
occasions. In 2010 I seriously started asking myself if I still
"had it," If I did, what did I want to do with it? Where did
I want to take it? The results are here for you to see,
both in retrospect, and in development.
23

AtmosphericNorther
11 x 14 inches
Oil on Canvas
11 x 14 inches
Oil on Canvas
Series by default.
Alternative entries for show.
Translates:
“Lift Face”
For you must to see
the vastness above.
24

MeditationContemplation
24 x 18 inches
Oil on Hardboard Panel
24 x 18 inches
Oil on Hardboard Panel
New Series begun March, 2013.
Translates :
“Shadow Play”
Presented as a metaphysical
or surrealist studies.
25

KATHERYN OLDSHIELD
WORKING ARTIST
Thank you for your viewing. Like any artist, I enjoy feedback
on my work so do share your comments.
• How has it touched you in the sharing?
Art is meant to be conversational.
If you are interested in purchasing a piece, an email would be
greatly appreciated, and I will follow up with/for details. I also
like to eat—LOL! That does trigger the “visceral” in me!
CONTACT EMAIL:
kb.oldshield@gmail.com
ONLINE PORTFOLIO:
http://koldshield.photofolio.org
ASTRATTA EXHIBIT AT ROOTS COFFEEHOUSE
http://AstrattaOnExhibit.eventpages.com
FACEBOOK (with SlideShare Link):
https://www.facebook.com/KaesGallery
26

27
Name Copyright Date Height BY Width units Medium ON Support Suggested Retail Page #
Through a Glass
Darkly #1 ©2010 20 x 16 inches Acrylic on canvas $ 400.00 5
Through a Glass
Darkly ©2010 20 x 16 inches Acrylic on canvas $ 400.00 6
Stevadore ©2010 20 x 16 inches Acrylic on canvas $ 400.00 7
Tornado or Storm ©2011 24 x 18 inches Acrylic on canvas $ 540.00 8
Flower Child ©2011 18 x 24 inches Acrylic on canvas $ 540.00 9
Dream ©2011 18 x 24 inches Acrylic on canvas $ 540.00 10
Calfacio (Heat) ©2011 20 x 16 inches Oil on canvas $ 400.00 11
untitled ©2013 20 x 16 inches
Acrylic &
Charcoal on canvas $ 400.00 15
Ascension ©2012 20 x 16 inches Oil on canvas $ 400.00 13
Carnival ©2013 20 x 16 inches Oil on canvas $ 400.00 14
Lips ©2011 20 x 16 inches Oil on canvas $ 400.00 20
Broken Nose ©2013 20 x 16 inches Oil on canvas $ 400.00 21
Gaze ©2013 20 x 16 inches
Charcoal &
Acrylic on canvas $ 400.00 22
Search ©2012 11 x 14 inches Acrylic on paper $ 200.00 16
Static ©2012 15 x 21 inches Acrylic on Rag Paper $ 400.00 17
Schedule ©2012 15 x 21 inches Acrylic on Rag Paper $ 400.00 18
Swept Clean ©2013 15 x 21 inches Acrylic on Rag Paper $ 400.00 19
Meditation ©2013 18 x 24 inches Oil on
hardboard
panel $ 540.00 25
Contemplation ©2013 18 x 24 inches on
hardboard
panel $ 540.00 25
Third Moon Rising ©2010 12 x 12 inches Acrylic on canvas NFS 4
Atmospheric ©2011 11 x 14 inches 0il on canvas NFS 24
Norther ©2012 11 x 14 inches 0il canvas $ 200.00 24

Thank You, To all at Roots Coffeehouse!

Astratta on exhibit

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