Jennifer Smith
Botanical Alchemy
Newport Visual Arts Center
UPSTAIRS GALLERY
An opening reception is planned for Sunday, December 3rd from 1pm-3pm. An artist’s talk will take place at 1:30pm, and light refreshments will be served. This event is FREE.
Exhibits at Newport Visual Arts Center (VAC) are free to the public and can be viewed most Wednesdays through Sundays, from 12pm – 4pm, at 777 NW Beach Drive in Newport.
Inspired by daily hikes in the Pacific Northwest, Smith was drawn to botanical printmaking, to reflect the beauty of the trees that surrounded her. Her process begins with the gathering of leaves and a search for wool and silk that she can up-cycle. “My desire is to share the rich beauty I see in nature,” said Smith, “in appreciation of the varied patterns, colors, and textures in the trees and leaves.”
Smith’s unique process treats the viewer to a thrilling and intimate experience with the florae of our coastal home, featuring colors that are as soothing as they are exciting. “Beyond beautifully executed technical innovations and experimentations, Jennifer has an eye for exquisite compositions,” said Chasse Davidson, director of the Newport Visual Arts Center, “Through her botanical prints, each leaf is brought to the forefront with rich, bold color combinations.”
“In my studio, I intentionally place the leaves on the wool, cover this with hand-dyed silk for transfer of the background color, tightly roll the fabric around a copper rod for direct contact, then submerge the bundle in hot water to cook for several hours,” said Smith, “This helps to extract the pigments contained in the leaves – to transfer the leaf print and coloration onto the fabric. When unwrapping the bundle, I feel excitement as I discover the unpredictable and unique results.”