Kerry Tharp, a mosaic artist and instructor from Belgium, will be the featured presenter at the Geneva Lake Art Association meeting at 7 p.m. April 25 at the gallery, 647 Main St.
Members and guests are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
“As a self-taught artist, I’ve been practicing art for over 20 years as a way to bring balance to my life and my work as a counselor,” said Tharp. “Art provides me with the opportunity to create, to connect with others, or just to center myself.
“I’ve enjoyed working in watercolor, fiber and jewelry but art glass has intrigued me for as long as I can remember. The colors invoke emotion, and I’m amazed with how swirls end up in the glass. Mosaic allows for endless possibilities in working with such incredibly beautiful art glass. My desire to learn this art form came to fruition nearly a decade ago with an unexpected gift from my husband and kids – glass cutters, glass and a bag of grout
“I cherish everything about the mosaic process. The first step begins with a general sketch, which I build upon with ideas that ‘bubble up’ along the way. Working intuitively in this way is so freeing, allowing more of my spirit to come through and allowing the art to take on a life of its own. Next, I hand-cut glass and adhere it to a base. I’ve always included byzantine glass, unique tile, mirror and found objects.
Lately, I’ve incorporated stained glass techniques to preserve my watercolor paintings, journal writings, and treasures from nature, personalizing each piece even further. The final stage of grouting pulls the entire piece together.
“I find it interesting how this breaking and re-piecing of glass resembles the healing and growth process that I’ve seen in my work and in other areas of my life.
“Others have described my art as having a contemporary flair. I enjoy making fun, spirited and whimsical pieces or peaceful, calming ones. A common thread in all my work is the flow or movement that I achieve by thoughtful placement of the tesserae and choice of materials. My inspiration comes from nature, emotion of color, movement, ancient mythology and the surprises found in the glass itself.”
The GLAA arranges art shows and has monthly programs, lectures, demonstrations and workshops. Membership is open to anyone interested in the arts. GLAA sponsors the annual fine art show, Art In The Park, and sponsors four member artist theme shows each year and an annual student show.
For more information, visit www.genevalakeart.org, or leave a message at 249-7988.
