The show is mild-mannered but easy to digest. With about 10 works by each artist, there is a lot to look at. It is not surprising that these artists have chosen to show with each other. They each reinforce each other’s ideas of what great painting is.
Mandalas, shrines, Oriental text, rendered Buddhas and Egyptian goddesses are depicted in paintings and drawings. Many use found objects such as lace, postage stamps and photographs.
Thompson seems to be exploring how to find a unique voice. In a few paintings on dyed canvas backgrounds, Thompson depicts forms like seed pods, coupled with typewriter text spelling the word “Nourishes.” One piece, titled “Hope,” has a strong sense of composition and is not overworked or visually cramped.
Kuss’ work has a strong sense of continuity through layers of collage. Geometric drawings, like the artist Piet Mondrian, rest on top of the various layers, unifying the pieces. Circles of old lace, paper and gold leaf lead the eye around the paintings and invite close investigation. Goldberg’s quirky shrines add a nice dynamic to the all-painting show, but she does paintings as well.
They are packed with a plethora of images in a rainbow of colors. They all blend together to create a uniform representation of peaceful and mystical icons.
Gillin’s lilies and leaves are recurring motifs. Her backgrounds are made to look like the plaster walls of fresco paintings with a texture paste. On top of that, Gillin paints calming natural objects in a graphic way.
Lane’s work is high contrast. Pale backdrops make way for bold brush strokes, rendering a woman’s head or a deer. Her best piece incorporates two wooden balusters, a cast antler set and woven sticks.
JESS MINCKLEY is an artist who lives in Los Angeles. JESS MINCKLEY is an artist who lives in Los Angeles.
