KAY KAPLAN / SELECTED ARTWORK / BIOGRAPHY / ARTIST STATEMENT / INTERVIEW / PAST EXHIBITIONS
Kay Kaplan Artist Statement
I am always painting, completing my last inspiration then reaching inward for more enlightenment, understanding, and rushes of creativity. I love holding on to the flow and focus that I have come to, in a place of calm, exhilaration and excitement. When I am in that state of flow I continue from the beginning to the end of the finished painting, all the while scanning it carefully, knowing that my hands painted it, but that my heart finished it.
I am excited knowing that tomorrow I will begin again, and I am filled with anticipation and gratitude that I have yet another day to reach into that place of inspiration, another day of painting and to learn and grow as an artist. Finding my zone and meditation and loving life to the fullest, this is what I hope my paintings reveal.
My paintings begin with my dog, Roxy, close by, the music turned up and doors wide open while I use a reference photo or a still life set up in my studio. I start with an undercoat of color on top of white canvas, and then with a brush I begin the drawing. I carefully add the darkest darks to the lightest lights, adjusting the shapes while considering the composition, all while using around eight different tubes of paint to create all the colors I need. The black hues often have three to four colors mixed together to create the perfect tone, and not one on my canvas is straight from the tube. I add linseed oil to give a rich, buttery and soft consistency. I use two large pallet surfaces that allow large amounts of paint to be mixed together which is important when painting Alla Prima or “wet onto wet.” Most of my paintings are completed in one sitting with several breaks. While they are drying, I spy on them from time to time with a critical eye. If needed, a bit of turpentine is gently added to soften the paint and make adjustments.
I have had in-depth studies of painting Alla Prima for the last 15 years. I started out with drawing classes in the beginning, then moved on to intensive studies in oil painting at the Athenaeum School of the Arts, workshops, boot camps and private classes.