What can be more inspiring than nature itself? On today's Studio Sunday we take a look at the beautiful work and studio of artist Kari Hall. Her encaustic landscapes are perfect for a relaxing Sunday (and you know we have a thing for pretty work spaces).
Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Kari Hall (Guziec) earned a BA in Visual Communications Design from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. It was there Kari was first introduced to encaustic painting and has kept her concentration on developing work in this medium. She worked successfully as a graphic designer for ten years before leaving to pursue her passion as a full-time artist in 2014. Her work has been shown in many galleries primarily in the Midwest and East Coast. Now based out of the Houston area, when she isn’t in the studio painting, she is spending time with her husband Drew, daughter Rosie, and Bloodhound Harvey.
Statement
My works are memories of landscape and nature that tell a story of the meaningful experiences in my life. I am inspired by my recollection of particular places and people that have shaped my identity. Through imagery, color, and texture I create multilayered pieces that represent the memories within me, from my Italian ancestry and the rolling hills of Italy, the colorful coastal towns, the calming sea, and ancient stucco walls to my immigrant great-grandparents journey to Chicago and how their brave decision has continued to shape my life.
I work intuitively with a balance of chance and reflection. I apply layers of melted beeswax and pigment, often incorporating image transfers, ancestral historic documents, paper and other found materials. Each luminous layer gives depth and perception to the experience. The images I create invite one to step up close to the surface for a moment of discovery and familiar connection.
