KRISTA HARRIS

Artist Statement
Krista Harris is a modernist painter whose work has roots in abstract expressionist traditions, yet embraces a style that is uniquely her own. Elegantly composed and deli­cately balanced, her work has a mesmerizing quality. Shapes and line appear to morph in and out of focus, colors shift like seasons, and subtle imagery whispers beneath the surface.

A “painter’s painter,” Harris remains devoted to the craft of paint on traditional surfaces. Her early years of working realistically with figure and landscape, combined with a love of drawing, have provided a strong foundation as she moved into non-objective work. Working intuitively, without pre-conceived notions, sketches or forethought, allows the painting to evolve naturally, and at its own pace.

In her most recent body of work you sense, rather than see, the beauty and imperma­nence of nature. Surrounded by open fields and dramatic mountain views, her studio is perfectly situated to filter and interpret and the constantly changing scenery. Balancing texture and form, passages of calm and activity, opacity and luminosity, the richly tended surfaces seem stitched together with line, and vibrate with the illusive qualities of seasonal change.

“Abstracting from nature has unique rewards and challenges” according to Harris. “ —not giving away too much, not imitating, but implying, and not dictating, but suggesting... I’m interested in trying to capture the emotion and the poignancy of light and the mesmerizing qualities of a world in constant flux.”

“Nature is abstraction in its purest form. If we allow ourselves the luxury of just looking, of seeing without the allowing the brain to interpret or define or label, then what remains is pure beauty.”

Biography
Born in Virginia and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Krista Harris is a full-time, career level artist whose work hangs in numerous public and private collections both nationally and internationally. After receiving her degree in Fine Arts from East Carolina University she relocated to southwest Colorado, where she lives and works today.

Exhibitions and Awards
August 2011
SOFA Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico
April 2011
SOFA New York, NYC
January 2011
Art Palm Beach, Palm Beach, FL
November 2010
SOFA Chicago, Chicago, IL
April 2010
U8, Sopa Gallery, Kelowna, B.C.
March 2010
Huntsville Museum of Art annual fundraiser
October 2009-2010
Work exhibited at DIA and the Colorado State Capital
September 2009 Ellis Contemporary, Durango, CO
March 2009
Huntsville Museum of Art, 18th Annual Museum Gala
Durango Chamber Resort Association, Regional Art Award

Audio & Videos

EVERGREEN (DETAIL)
Krista Harris in her studio, 2012.
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GEORGIA PEACH (DETAIL)
Krista Harris talks about her process, 2010.
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Please contact us for other available works
info@jsauergallery.com