Suderman began exhibiting her work in 2001 in Austin, Texas. Her upcoming exhibit will be her first in Juneau since moving from Texas earlier this year.
Artwork by Karen Suderman
Suderman describes her style as a blend between abstract and realism, pulling images from nature and then focusing on segments and details of a bigger picture. Her exhibit, which can be viewed at the JACC gallery, features two styles: fresco and oil.
She describes her style as a blend between abstract and realism, pulling images from nature and then focusing on segments and details of a bigger picture. Suderman said the inspiration she finds in the natural world made her decision to move to Alaska even more exciting.
"I'm stimulated by the details and grandeur of Alaska," she said. "Little fragments of Juneau's landscape I finds hiking on trails, or walking on the shoreline I use as the source and inspiration of my work."
Her exhibit will feature two different mediums: fresco and oil. Each of the images depicts a section of something Suderman considers innate: a plant, animal, person or piece of land.
When using traditional oil painting techniques, she concentrates on the object's color, line, and texture.
"The natural object creates boundaries on my subjectivity," Suderman said. "This becomes the process for each piece."
Her marble dust fresco series takes a slightly different approach. Using acrylic pigments, she blends colors and applies them with traditional fresco techniques. The layers of marble dust hold to the linen wrapped around each panel. Many of the pieces have subtle writing in them. The words are etched in and often rubbed out. The color and line soak into the surface until lifted or covered.
"When I work in fresco, the medium pushes the direction of the painting."
For more information visit www.jahc.org or call 586-2787.
