Page 19 - the NOISE September 2013

Illuminated Skull by Josh Nelson is among the work at Tat Fu Tattoo this First Friday ArtWalk.
walls into a gallery space. “Our web design company 2b designs has been in the space for several years, but we have only been fo- cusing on it as a shared gallery space since last fall. Since the spring, we have been do- ing ArtWalk every month. I have really en- joyed being part of the downtown culture and it’s been very fun to talk with all the people who come through the gallery. Pa- trons who have bought paintings become familiar faces that I see each ArtWalk. It has been great working with The Artists’ Gal- lery, they send visitors back to the gallery and help us with sales and billing.
I ask Ms. Vhay about herself, a little glimpse into the history of the painter’s life. “I am mostly from Reno, Nevada,” Ms. Vhay tells me. “My mother was a painter and I bopped around with her in my early years, a gypsy type of life. I attended University of Oregon for college and studied ceramics, printmak- ing and art history. After meeting my hus- band in college, and having two children, we moved around the west and eventually fell in love with Flagstaff and decided to move here.”
“I’ve always drawn and thought I would be an artist,” she says. “I began painting more se- riously after my kids were born. I had already dappled with many mediums in school, but oil met my needs for expressive work that is also colorful and durable. I am inspired by shapes and the negative space between two objects. I really think I began drawing and painting so I could capture how I was see- ing everyday things around me. My subject matter is always changing, but the composi- tions are becoming increasingly complex. I have gained a love for figurative work. I am
looking for more meaning, expression and emotion in the work, rather than simply illus- trating my surroundings.”
Rowboats have been a recent inspiration in Ms. Vhay’s paintings. “I love the colors and shapes,” says Ms. Vhay. “I am inspired by the patterns created by the boats and the shore line. The colors are so expressive and show the love and care that has gone into tak- ing care of these boats. You can sense the presence of people in these paintings even though there are none.”
I ask what the artist is working on in the studio. “I continue with figurative work,” Ms. Vhay answers. “Lately I have been interested in capturing a single moment and the ex- pression of that moment. My work is evolv- ing to more figures in the painting and more movement to capture that moment. I am beginning a series of rowboats — hopefully to do a whole show in the fall.”
2b Designs is located behind the Artists’ Gallery at 17 N. San Francisco. Ms. Vhay is also the featured artist at Gallery One13, 111 E. Aspen, for the month of September. An artist’s reception will be held during the First Friday ArtWalk September 6 from 6 to 9PM. GalleryOne13.com
into nAture
Kirsten Furlong, a visual artist based in Boise, Idaho and the Gallery Director of the Visual Arts Center at Boise State University is bringing her art to the walls of Coconino Center for the Arts Jewel Gallery.
Ms. Furlong tells me how she became in- terested in art. “Growing up I often created things but didn’t have a background in art history or visit many museums until later. I was interested in creative activities and be-
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thenoise.us • the NOISE arts & news • september 2013 • 19