Kelly Meiners is known for her nuanced use of shape and shadow, depth of field, and depth of vision. At times whimsical, at times somber, her paintings are always reflective of both the stunning beauty and brutality of life.
Fans of her art are often surprised to learn that Meiners began her artistic career with her eyes closed, quite literally. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and yet still infected, she is included in the unlucky 1-2% of the population who suffer COVID’s severest long-haul effects. A former marathon runner, doctorate holder, physical therapist, athletic trainer and university department chair, Meiners suddenly found herself forced into nine months of near total isolation in a darkened, noiseless room. Unable to read and nearly unable to talk or move, she noticed the shapes and patterns drifting across her field of vision behind closed eyelids.
Soon after, using easy-to-grasp and found objects, like a shower squeegee and a foam wedge, Meiners began applying acrylic paint to canvas, initially at a painstaking rate of one swipe per week. From this was born Pivot, a collection of works on canvas and paper in acrylic and oil pastels whose shape, form, and colors chronicle the sea change in the artist’s life. White space represents loss. Dark shapes looming low denote hard days, and brightly colored swipes higher up celebrate easier times. Although she can paint lying on the floor for just 10 minutes at a time, many of her works exude free movement and whimsy.
kellymeiners.art
Enjoy this exhibition until December 21, 2024