Elements of Nature
Rita Kovach
Artist's Statement—I remember doing art as early as age 4, when my mother taped my crayoned picture of a "lion" to our refrigerator door in Colon, Panama. Yes, I was lucky to be a tropical baby, where everything stays green year round and you can go swimming at "dream vacation" beaches, even on Christmas Day. My "abuelita Nany" loved plants and animals and I spent a great deal of time with her as a child. I also recall seeing my great grandma "Besaw", as I called her, busily working at her easel painting a live orchid still-life. So you see, these are lingering memories and perhaps subconsciously, a source of my inspiration.
All through my childhood and my high school days, I was called upon to do art work for people. After high school it was only natural for me to pursue art in college. I received a Bachelor in Art from Barry University in Miami, Florida in 1967, and a Master in Art Education from Pratt Institute in New York in 1969. After a short stint in advertising art, I found greater satisfaction in the field of education, and I have been teaching ever since.
I am very lucky to have met my husband Roger, who not only appreciates all types of art, but has a discerning eye for color and composition and a penchant for creative thinking. He is my best critic and my muse in my semi-retired life.
Karen Julihn
Artist Statement—May's Member Show, entitled "Elements of Nature" features new work created by artists Karen Julihn and Rita Kovach. Karen has been taking classes and showing her work through FCCA since 2009. "My creative journey to find my own comfort zone has been spotted with many different turns in the road. I have experimented with a variety of media including acrylic, watercolor, oil, pastel and mixed media which is why I sometimes look like I'm all over the map. I am always drawn to try something new. I think it is part of my art adventure. It's hard to explain why artists love to create, but my inner drive must come from a desire to make something meaningful and lasting. When I see the infinite detail and color that nature creates for us every day, I see endless opportunity to find inspiration all around."
Karen has received several Honorable Mention awards at FCCA, including one for her most recent entry, "Baby Steps" in the March "Space and Form" exhibit in the Frederick Gallery. Karen also won a Judges Award for her contemporary work at the King George Art Show in 2012. As a member artist of Brush Stokes Gallery on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg, her new work is on display every month. She also exhibits regularly at Studio A in Colonial Beach, and has a booth space at Crossroads Gallery in Richmond. Karen’s work is also frequently entered in themed shows at Fredericksburg’s Liberty Town Art Center, and at Thor Gallery in Colonial Beach. Some of her early works can be found on her web site, www.karenjulihn.com.