Everything once found becomes new again—at least for artists such as Kathleen Otley.
Her most recent show, “Stones and Scrolls—Willow and Wax,” opens April 2 and runs through April 28 at Rob Schouten Gallery at Greenbank Farm.
This Greenbank artist creates mixed-media works that reflect a modern take on ancient and earthly things. As someone who uses a predominance of willow sticks, smooth stones, nests, painted birds, eggs, wire, feathers, colorful threads, the scrolls of Asian texts and various other treasures in her encaustics and wall shields, it’s no surprise that Otley has always been a hunter and gatherer of interesting objects.
As a child, she especially enjoyed family outings to Indian reservations and roadside attractions.
“I loved the roadside craft stores where I wet my taste for the mixed-media creations of the local tribes. I wondered at the dolls, blankets and rugs. I collected special turquoise rocks and beads and trinkets, planning things I would create myself when I got home,” the artist said.
Although she dreamed of one day owning such store of her own, it seems her studio is the place that has come to reflect that love of roadside whimsy, mixed with the influence of tribal earthiness.
Just like her trips in the car as a child, she said she always has her eye out for that special object.
“I collect these treasures or simply ruminate on them and find my inspiration eventually leading to a work of art,” Otley said.
“From that first piece of work comes inspiration to the second, where changes will lead to the next evolution, and so a body of work distinguishes itself to the next body of work.”
Kathleen Otley’s encaustic mixed-media sculptures often include painted birds, old scrolls with asian texts, nests, eggs and twigs. | Photos courtesy of the artist
And so has evolved this newest body of work for Rob Schouten Gallery where she regularly shows her art.
A reception for the artist will be held on Friday, April 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. during Greenbank Farm’s “First Friday at the Farm” event. Come in and enjoy light refreshments while viewing “Stones and Scrolls—Willow and Wax,” when all the galleries and shops at the farm welcome patrons to enjoy an evening of art and conversation, and when the Pies Café serves a special dinner. The exhibit runs through Monday, April 28.
Rob Schouten Gallery, a premier showcase for Whidbey Island and Northwest artists, is located at historic Greenbank Farm on scenic Whidbey Island. April Gallery Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, open Tuesdays by appointment only. For further information, call 360-222-3070 or email info@robschoutengallery.com.
BY PENNY WEBB
Whidbey Life Magazine contributor
Oct. 9, 2013
Like a superhero leaping to it in a single bound, Kim Tinuviel is always up for a creative challenge.
Here’s a woman who wears many hats: classical musician, graphic designer, photographer, encaustic artist, business woman, teacher, and most recently, metal sculptor. Each of her passions has led Tinuviel to the next, like crumbs on a path, drawing her toward yet another skill to learn and master, and another vision to realize. (Tinuviel is one of Whidbey Life Magazine’s Virtual Gallery featured artists through October.)
The Freeland resident’s latest work combines her new passion for metal work with her encaustic skills in the beautiful and luminescent works entitled “Light Sculptures.” Made from hand-cut, hand-edged, hand-riveted sheet metal and copper, her cylinders hold shades made of hand-made paper and encaustic paints that are lit from within by a small light source. Her first offering of “Light Sculptures” is long gone; another 10 will be ready in time for Christmas. Many are spoken for.
Tinuviel has had a remarkable journey to becoming a fine artist. A gifted bassist, she attended the Juilliard School in New York City, and is a professional musician by trade, who performs with many orchestras around the region. In the late 80’s and early 90’s she entered the graphic design field just as it was transitioning to the digital format.
“I had my feet in both worlds,” she said, “and as computers came in and changed everything, I found my own sense of aesthetic design.”
Around 2005, Tinuviel began using photography to express herself as a visual artist, and that opened up a whole new world of possibility for her.
“I began to think of the camera as my paint brush,” she said.
She discovered her own techniques of using light and effects to bring a three-dimensional quality to her prints. Her recent show, ChromoAlchemy, highlights this strength through the subject of decaying trucks and farm equipment, something readily available on the island.
“I go on little camera adventures and look for old and odd things being lit up by the sun,” she said.
Gifted with an unusual neurological condition called synesthesia, Tinuviel is able to “hear” colors, and this communication between her senses has made her transition into visual mediums interesting, to say the least. Asked whether she hears music while she’s creating art, she states, “Yes, it can be really beautiful, and can help me find the form of the piece. But sometimes, it can get in the way. Then I have to block it out.”
Her recent foray into metal work seems to be a logical step from photographing metal forms. Now she is manipulating the metal herself, instead of just interpreting it.
Tinuviel cuts plasma for one of her light sculptures./Photo courtesy of the artist.
“My sister and I got interested in working with metal, and we just dove right in,” she said. Building her own jigs and learning the ins and outs of welding are proving challenging and engaging. New designs are in the offing, and this step into mixed media promises to be an exciting time in Tinuviel’s creative career.
Additionally, Tinuviel teaches classes through the Whidbey Island Community Education Center at Bayview in photo encaustics (the next class will be held Oct. 16 and 17). She also hosts camera walks in Langley periodically, where she volunteers her time to help aspiring photographers with their craft.
A natural teacher, she is also available for private lessons in her studio, which is a cozy space with a full kitchen and a happily overstuffed couch.
“Encaustics are such a rewarding medium,” she said, while standing beside a main work surface in the studio.
“It’s warm and smells like honey… and the tactile sense, as well; it has such a soft, silky texture, yet is so strong.”
Tinuviel has found that photo encaustic classes are very popular with students who take photographs using subjects from their lives and transform them into works of art.
“Peacock Nebula,” encaustic mixed-media, by Kim Tinuviel./Photo courtesy of the artist
“The genesis of it all is the photo,” Tinuviel said.
“Then the student applies the wax, resin and pigments, and creates texture and depth. Suddenly, the photo has been transformed into something completely different. It is very satisfying work,” she added.
Teacher, sculptor, photographer, musician, graphic designer; Tinuviel does it all, and in the process, has created a rich and layered life for herself.
“I cobble it all together,” she said with a smile. “And, it works.”
