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Wisconsin artist Kathleen Hosch has achieved rare success in mediating this dynamic. By fleshing out both the animate and inanimate into multi-dimensional, multi-phenomenal depictions, these stills truly breathe life. Nature is a central element and motivation of Kathy's artwork, whether as a main focus or a backdrop. Sometimes it is cultivated, as in sophisticated gardens and floral arrangements; other times it is left wild, as fields nesting human artifacts or as seascapes. But in addition to providing subject matter, nature is also inspiration in her oil paintings.
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There is a spirit of vitality along with an almost tactile sensibility that infuses and uplifts these stills. One imagines the caress of a temperate breeze blowing gently within the meadow grasses. Gardens hum with the flutter of unseen bees and butterflies. Seascapes catch rolling waves just at full crest. Indeed, the juxtaposition of the motion of life onto the silence of an isolated still life moment is an inescapable and poetic irony.
The tactile quality in Kathy's paintings is a testament both to her innate talent and to masterful technique. Smooth petals and velvety leaves beg to be stroked; their powdery stomas diffuse a delicate aroma. In her "Pears and Daises," plump, juicy orbs hang expectantly among the flora, curves highlighted with golden light. One imagines biting into that sweet, juicy fruit, and it is almost enough to provoke salivation!
A delightful appreciation of color is also evident throughout the paintings. Kathy's application of color serves both to create harmony and to inspire and awaken.
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"I am drawn to the light houses because of their historical significance and decline," Kathy says. "They were so important in decades past, but few today are even in operation."
Nonetheless, the symbolism of lighthouses as beacons of strength, resolve, and rugged individualism are undeniable. They are glorious reminders of courage and heroism, internationally as well as specifically American. They project a universal maritime sensibility, much as the rolling of waves on the sea, and their repetition as they wash upon the beach, transcend to infinity.
Regardless of the sources of her inspiration, Kathy's nimble facility in translating her perceptual acuity into meaningful visual depiction provides a rare and realistic tribute to both the sensual pleasures of life as well as to the lofty ideals of intellect and art.
Email Artist Kathy Hosch at khosch@wi.rr.com | HOW TO BUY
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Will do commissions locally.