Kathleen Mooney, Featured Artist , August 2007

Kathleen Mooney is the “Featured Artist” for August 2007 and the owner of Fire and Water Art Studio and Showroom located at 219 West Main in Lowell, MI. Mooney is a multimedia artist who works in metal, glass and paint producing astonishing paintings, “Born to be Different” jewelry and award winning sculpture. Her inspirations come from signs and symbols from the prehistoric past that have survived and persisted into the present day in cultures from all over the world. Her travels have taken her to France, Scotland, Ireland, the UK and the Orkney Islands to study first hand the ancient rock carvings and ceremonial landscapes from over 5,000 years ago.

Mooney’s current project is “The River Series – Maps of Memory”. The River Series was begun at the international Kanuga Watercolor Workshops in Hendersonville, North Carolina Spring 2007 session. Mooney studied abstraction techniques with Danie Janov – a nationally known art instructor, working artist and trained geologist. Janov’s technique of developing layers of simplification and enhancement leads to a well planned composition. The composition Mooney developed at Kanuga is the basis of the 14 richly colored multimedia paintings that form the core of The River Series.

The composition can be seen both as an aerial view of a river system and as an up close view of the interaction of water and earth. Ever changing paths of the river are traced in rich ochre, amber, turquoise and crimson. Mooney realized that the first maps were much like these paintings -- drawn from the memory and the impressions at a certain point in time as seen by an individual traveling on the river. These maps were always changing and subject to individual interpretation.

The paintings remind us of our present day relationship with our environment – and nature. Mooney enjoys kayaking on the Flat River and Stoney Lake. “Lowell is fortunate to have two rivers and many lakes that give us so many opportunities to fish, hike, swim and boat. The more time we can spend outdoors the better for our wellbeing and creativity. Nature is full of inspiration”.

A Chance to Observe the Process – Throughout the month of August visitors can observe the process as Mooney develops three large canvases that will be the main feature of The River Series. The panels have been started with layers of paint applied with her free-hand cut block stamps. Mooney’s stamps use signs and symbols of the prehistoric past and world cultures to create rich underlying meaning in her compositions. The panels will develop rich textures, colors and meaning as the month progresses. Visit often to see the changes. A DVD movie of The River Series will also be on view.

Other projects –

Mooney is part of the ISEA – International Society of Experimental Artists 2007 exhibit in Santa Cruz CA. Her entry is titled “Universal Artifacts”. “Universal Artifacts” is an ambitious book of over 50 paintings and has an accompanying DVD of the paintings set to the music of MSU professor, Thom Jayne. This is Mooney’s 2^nd year in a row to have the honor to exhibit with leading international artists who push the boundaries of methods, materials and mindset of art to new paths of exploration. The “Universal Artifacts” DVD is also on view at Fire and Water Art.

Carving Print Block Stamps is one of the most popular workshop classes offered at Fire and Water Art. Mooney teaches with easy to cut materials, covering basic safety, free-hand carving techniques and how to use the stamps in many creative projects. Classes include all materials are included in the fee and are 3 hours long. Appointments can be made by calling 890-1879.

Awards and current exhibits –

Fire and Water Art has won the On-the-Town Magazine “Best New Business” Townie Award for 2007. Mooney says “Fire and Water took the coveted “Townie” award through popular vote by their readers. This recognizes our leadership in exhibiting the best of local art with a vibrant and innovative showroom model. We now have over 25 leading local artists working in all mediums. Our sales have been strong -- and we only moved to 219 West Main in November of last year! We look forward to the years ahead as we make even more artistic connections with the community in Lowell -- and West Michigan”.

Fire and Water Art(ists) including Kathleen Mooney are also on exhibit at the Lowell Public Administration offices at 300 High Street through October 12.

Fire and Water Art(ists) including Kathleen Mooney are donating many artworks to the Lowell Area Arts Council “Art Attack” event to be held August 18, 6-10 PM.

Contact information –

Kathleen Mooney, Artist and Owner

Fire and Water Art is located in historic Lowell at 219 West Main.

Our phone number is 616-890-1879.

Our hours are Wednesday through Sunday 1-6 and Fridays 1-7.

Our custom framer is in on Fridays.

Our website is www.fire-and-water-art.com