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Kathy Casey finds beauty in imperfection

By Judit Trunkos

Kathy Casey’s exhibition at City Art. “Painting Textures,” will be open through December 20 and is one of the opening art shows of the Vista Lights.

The mixed media pieces demonstrate Casey’s unique usage of colors and patterns and suggest a long journey through different styles before arriving to her current approach. Casey’s canvases can be best described as Abstract Expressionism paired with self-exploration. The result: large spontaneous pieces flooded with color, surrounded by lines and curves which ultimately melt into an intriguing texture. Casey utilizes many techniques and relies heavy on acrylics, charcoal, crayon and/or collage on hand-textured canvas or paper.

Casey avoids objective painting; her inspiration comes from abstract ideas such as feelings, moods and music. To deeper explain her style, Casey says that “surface quality and texture are often inspired by the corrosion and dissipation I see in old buildings … cracked stucco, worn wood, the patina of rusting iron.”

Looking at the thick paint often shaped by a pallet knife one can’t help but wonder at the texture of the pieces. Casey explains the process: “mark, line, and gesture are worked into a textured surface, and partially concealed with heavy paint, layers of glazes, and scumbled colors.”

Casey’s experimentation with patterns, shapes and forms expresses a broad spectrum of abstract ideas and seems to avoid any narrative other than the title of the painting.

“I search for beauty in the seemingly imperfect,” she says, “unearthing and embracing subtle details that beckon the viewer to linger and look more closely.”

At City Art, Casey will present over 20 of her works, many of which are new canvases.

“In the current show, I have very strong organic grids - hanging next to soft-soothing landscape type compositions,” she says of her current show. “My painting style is a mirror of my life: some days are peaceful …some days are all-out wild.”