Peacework by Victoria Kile
Victoria Kile and Sandy Paynter-Washburn combine their talents to collaborate on the feature show, Notions and Narrative, at In-Town Gallery for the month of October. Both 2-D and 3-D pieces have been the focus of their combined efforts in preparation for the show.
There will be an artist reception at In-Town Gallery on Friday from 5-8 p.m.
Ms. Kile and Ms. Washburn’s works will greet visitors on the front wall throughout the month of October and will remain in the gallery thereafter, mingled with those of other artists.
Review for Notions and Narrative:
The tantalizing title, Notions And Narrative, becomes a double entendre’ with the realization that notions are a reference to ideas and beliefs one holds, sometimes due to cultural/societal factors, as well as referring to the tangible tools and materials necessary for stitchery. As contemporary artists, they wanted to give a different perspective on the historical role of the home arts using some of the materials reinterpreted into creative works of art. Narrative references the storytelling aspect woven throughout their working processes. The unspoken conversation between viewer and creator, with each adding their own interpretations, creates the story. Some of the works are a collaboration of both artists. Ms. Washburn did the boxes and Ms. Kile made the boats for their collaborative pieces.
Growing up in many different southeastern states, Ms. Kile earned a BFA in sculpture followed by an ME concentrating in severe disabilities from UTC. Later she earned an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tn. Since 1992 she has been a teacher and professional studio artist. Lee University, Dalton Creative Arts Guild, Chattanooga Arts Center and Senior Neighbors are some of the places she has taught as well as a weekly class at her home. Beginning as an oil painter she took a class in clay and she was ‘hooked’, so she has done both clay and painting since then. Normally she combines mediums creating both 2-D and 3-D mixed media.
In this series, Notions and Narrative, Ms. Kile uses a boat as a metaphor for life, and patchwork quilts for how our lives are stitched together. This body of work comes from experiences of domestic life. “My ideas come from literary sources, short stories and sometimes they are pulled from overheard comments,” said Ms. Kile. Many ideas come from books she has read. Although most boat references relate to men or men at sea, Ms. Kile uses the theme of boats to connect the traditional work of women, sewing, stitching, weaving and the domestic arts to re-imagine these roles. Seamstress and Stoker unites the work of stoking the boilers of steamships to that of stitchery. Peacework and Erica The Red’s Lifeboat give the viewer food for thought. You are encouraged to use your imagination and add your own story while enjoying the texture, shapes and colors of these works.
Well known regional painter and North Carolina native, Ms. Washburn, earned a BFA in Art Education from University of North Carolina, Greensboro and has taught in private schools as well as workshops throughout the Southeast. Now painting full time and working as a product demonstrator for several art supply businesses, she has more awards than can be listed here. She is a signature member (chosen for a given number of juried shows) of the National Watercolor society, Southern Watercolor and Tennessee Watercolor Societies. She has founded MMIA (Mixed Media Inspired Artists) an organization that does regional showings and supports Second Life, an outreach program that helps women who have been exploited in sex trafficking start a new life.
Ms. Washburn’s assemblages have proven popular, drawing interesting materials from various sources. Tales of Frozen Charlotte, is a 3-D piece on a decorative, metal stand which includes boxes, verdi gris medallions, hinges and, the centerpiece - Frozen Charlotte. These dolls were excavated in Germany, where whole blocks of buildings had been bombed in World War II and the boxes of dolls were found intact. Typically, many of the framed paintings are collections of fabrics, patterns, papers, stamped surfaces, gels and textured paints. Matinee Idol is just such an assembled piece on a flat surface. Ms. Washburn has worked in acrylics from their appearance on the scene, but hungering for more texture, she began using pastes, gels and other texturing substances. She works intuitively and loosely, the subject becoming more refined as the painting nears completion. The patterns and textures are a visual feast. Antiquarians, another acrylic on canvas begins as a view of the spines of old books and, while working with colors, shapes and textures, the vision emerges.
Works of 31 artists are shown continuously throughout the year. In-Town Gallery, at 26A Frazier Ave. on the North Shore, is open every day, year round, except for major holidays. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday and until 8 p.m. on First Fridays. Call 267-9214, visit www.facebook.com/intowngallery or www.intowngallery.com.
Seamstress and Stoker by Victoria Kile