Kristin Pluhacek Artist's Statement I don't invent; I observe. I look for a strong subject, something that maintains its presence while allowing for elaboration and whimsy. Most of these things are already present in my life, existing in simple, ordinary ways until one day they exude a sort of grandness. They become monumental in nature and I want to experience and share that nature in the act of interpretation. The directness of drawing seems most effective for this action, especially pastel, with its thick layering potential and pure color (although lately oil, acrylic and watercolor has provided many of the same possibilities). I like my forms to be bold, with distinct mass, as if they were carved from the negative space. But it's also important that they be light, with the potential for motion. So I often introduce gesture as an overlay above solid shape, defining the form and releasing it from the rest of the composition. Line is always present and purposeful. In practice, I become more aware of the complex design underlying animate and inanimate objects, singularly and in their interactions with the broader world. I am interested in the way that objects and space intrude upon one another. I freely distort forms for the sake of unity, trying to give bulk to the spaces between the objects, containing and connecting the actions that take place within, while distilling the subject to an essential form or series of forms. Current & Upcoming "NEW WORKS" May 3 - June 30, 2013 MLB Designs Gallery FIRST FRIDAY OPENINGS Friday, May 3; 6-10pm Friday, June 7; 6-10pm MLB Designs 2020 Baltimore Ave, Suite 105 Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 531-3133 "MUSEUM OF ALTERNATIVE HISTORY" May 11 - June 2, 2013 RNG Gallery Museum of Alternative History A stunning collection of florid misunderstandings, obscure categorizations and inspired science-iness, gathered together by DR. TIMOTHY GUTHRIE for ONE MONTH ONLY. Guaranteed to incite and excite simultaneously: BONA FIDE EXPERTS on hand at opening presentation to illuminate the mysteries of the collection. NOT FOR THE WEAK-MINDED OR FAINT-OF-HEART! OPENING PRESENTATION Saturday, May 11; 7-10pm RNG Gallery 157 West Broadway Council Bluffs, IA 51503 (712) 256-4140 "LFF CIAO" May 1 - May 4, 2013 Caesium Gallery Sally Deskin's group exhibit to coincide with the publication of her 2012 edition of "LES FEMMES FOLLES" (in which I am one of the featured artists!) OPENING RECEPTION Wednesday, May 1; 6-9pm Caesium Gallery 4656 South 60th Ave. Omaha, NE (402) 578-7938 "OUTSIDE THE LUX BOX" Friday, May 3, 2013; 7-11pm Screen Ink A unique fundraiser for the LUX Center for the Arts. One hundred artist will transform one hundred blank metal lunch boxes into works of art, each of which will be sold for $100 on Friday, May 3. Screen Ink 416 South 11th St Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 464-0501