Pours

New works by Kim Klabe

April 5, 2019 - May 5, 2019

Ventures Gallery

Opening Reception, Friday, April 5, 2019, 5-7pm

Artist Statement

This show is called “Barflies”, which is a collection of wine and beer pours reflecting the type of characters typically seen at bars – both the beautiful and the ugly. Each face you see arising from the wine and beer presented itself through the dried stain of the pours. No face was pre-planned; each is unique depending on the spread of the wine or the beer. The Microbrewer was born from Milk Stout. The beautiful Antithesis arose from a nice Cabernet. Their names reflect who they are, and some, like “Gin Blossoms”, show that maybe they like the hooch a little too much.

I began working in wine and beer pours in August of 2017, after working in oils and watercolors for over 30 years. Painting had become stifling, and boredom had set in. Representational painting was not only very competitive, but lacked what I desperately needed – a way to express myself freely and creatively. Working in pours re-connected me to the creativity and imagination I experienced in art school. The direction of the wine dictates how distorted a figure may or may not be, and no longer is representation a necessary part of my painting. Three eyes and 12 fingers are actually quite the norm. The pours cause people to look, to reflect, to think and yes – to laugh. The colors and the energy draw the eye and conversation ensues. The fact that the pours get their start from wine and beer only adds to the conversation.

Pours are made by pouring wine or dark beer on #400 watercolor paper, letting the liquid dry, then looking at the dried stain/image to see what shapes appear. Those shapes are defined with markers and colored pencil, using the lines/shapes of the pour. Some of the wine or beer stain is left untouched, other areas are mostly covered, but the integrity of the pour remains.  Sometimes I have no direction for the final outcome, and discover as I go along.

Titles of the pours are taken exclusively from current events (whether world-wide or personal events), and help date stamp a place in time. This medium is unique and unusual and has helped me connect with my true love for art and expression.  I hope you love it as much as I do.  

About the Artist