"Essential Tools for the Modern Woman" - New works by Kelly Thompson

for Jen X - AVAILABLE



Julie Peasley - AVAILABLE


Demi Bra - SOLD


For Terri Tooter Berman - SOLD


Robin - SOLD





"Essential Tools for the Modern Woman" - an exhibit of new work by
Kelly Thompson

Opening Reception: Saturday, September 11, 2010 - 7p-10p

Exhibition Dates: September 11, 2010 through October 5, 2010
Gallery hours: Wed - Sun: 12pm – 6pm, Mon – Tue: By appt. only

Cactus Gallery is pleased to present, "Essential Tools for the Modern Woman," a solo exhibition of new work by Kelly Thompson.

"Essential Tools for the Modern Woman" was inspired by a 6' x 3' eyelash curler painted in 2001. Always a favorite piece of Cactus Gallery owner Sandra Mastroianni, it was chosen as a signature piece and launched the theme of the exhibition. On November 11, 2009, Kelly surveyed 21 modern women asking them her own burning question, "What is your essential tool?"

In this selection of paintings Kelly has merged two dominant yet distinctly different styles while continuing to explore her roots in graphic design and her compulsions for experimentation and imperfection. Using her favorite mediums, acrylic, oil, concrete, resin and spray paint she continues to use her familiar color palate and signature circle image. In keeping with her focus on process, she will also be using recycled and rebuilt surfaces for this series.


Artist Statement:
Embarking on this project has been both a challenge and honor. A challenge to try and include a small piece of each person in their tool as I paint it, and an honor that these women are wiling to join me in this great collaboration. My idea for these pieces is simply to paint “things” that women use. I was not interested in making a political, historical or social statement with this work but just to explore what tools are available and favored by women in 2010.

Of course surveying strong, educated and confident modern women the results were not just objects. Most were light hearted tools that we use everyday, and then there were the more serious tools in the form of woman's issues. Subjects such as equal rights, civil rights, freedom, discrimination and education.

Usually trying to stay on the lighter side of things, I had to make a conscious decision whether to include these political, social issues or not. I concluded that in order to be true to the women who participated in the survey I truly need to do both. The images are still in keeping with my original idea of a simple, minimal body of work. Thank you again to you wonderful women who joined me in this journey.


Biography:
Kelly Thompson was born in Gary, Indiana relocating to Chicago in the early 80ʼs. There she worked as a graphic designer until 1990 and also attended classes at the American Academy of Art. Moving cross country to Los Angeles she decided to take a more hands on approach to her art and career by joining I.A.T.S.E. Local 729 set painter and sign writers union. She has worked on numerous feature films and television series. All the while, continuing to create her own work exhibiting and selling in the traditional Chicago style “Apartment Gallery” shows. In 1999, she began representation with M.J. Higgins Fine Art and then shortly thereafter joined the Cactus Gallery line up. Since then she has been featured artist, as well as a participant in many group shows in Los Angeles, Orange County and New York Galleries as well as local Museums and Educational Institutions.