It's not a common avenue to pursue a career in mixed-media collage to begin with, yet one duCret Instructor, Kat Block has managed to carve out a very special niche in the art world with her Bonsai-themed mixed-media collage series pieces. This season, she accepted her 20th award from The Milburn-Short Hills Art Center, who featured her work in their June Art Show, which was recently held at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown. Kat received the 'Award of Merit' at the Opening Reception. Her work will remain on display at the Mayo Art Center until July 16th, 2012.
About The Work - Kat's primary inspiration is nature and her pieces are complex, mixed media collages that integrate various papers, watercolors, photography, and graphite. She unifies these disparate elements by painstakingly arranging them, often using small fragments of patterns to tie them together. Literally hundreds of pieces of paper will slowly come together to become one unified image upon completion. They are mounted on canvas and varnished repeatedly with a UV protective varnish. Although rich in color, design and pattern, the finished collages remain luminous and serene. They manage to look completely effortless and yet are unimaginably complex in the same viewing. Every time one studies them, there is something new to notice. Her excitement and intensity is evident in her work. She is constantly challenging herself to discover a new and unexpected way to communicate her vision. Quoting her, 'Art is my sanctuary. Art is my enthusiasm. Art is my immune system. I live to share my visual response to this world.' And the mesmerizing works produced are a clear reflection of Kat's reason for being. While she has exibited in countless group and solo exhibitions throughout NJ, her artwork can also currently be viewed at Swain's Galleries, Plainfield NJ. In addition to creating these unusual collages and teaching at duCret school of Art, Kat is also the published illustrator of a children's book, "Little Mouse" and has designed posters for the Union County Jazzfests. She has taught workshops throughout the region and has juried several art shows. Additionally, her work was featured in the 2010 release, "Remember Me", starring Pierce Brosnan and Robert Pattinson.
Kat will be teaching a summer workshop at duCret School of Art called, Torn Paper Collage. Learn how to block out the composition and use layered forms to create specific detailed shapes. The workshop will run on Thursday, August 2, from 9am - 12pm. Call 908-757-7171 to register.
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