Rebecca Crowell is returning to Telluride for her second solo exhibition at Slate Gray Gallery. As a recognized master of cold wax medium, Rebecca continuously develops her practice by experimenting with new color compositions and meaningful markmaking. This exhibition will immediately follow the artist's sold-out advanced cold wax workshop at Telluride's Ah Haa School for the Arts titled "Lines and Marks as Abstract Language."
Join us at the gallery for the exhibition opening reception on Tuesday, July 2nd, from 5 - 8pm. Rebecca will be present, and light refreshments will be served.
"My paintings are always influenced by my surroundings, especially wild, natural places.
The ancient, rugged landscapes of northern New Mexico where I live, and other remote
places like the west coast of Ireland where I go each year are the basis of my abstract
visual language. Their dramatic vistas are moving, but I’m also drawn to the more subtle
aspects—the complex colors and textures, shapes of rocks and landforms, and
luminous atmosphere that I experience there.
These places feel like home to my soul, and evoke memories, emotions, a sense of
connection, and reflections about time, aging, and resilience. Combined with elements
of pure abstraction, they lead to imagery that is inner landscape rather than literal
depiction. I want to express what it means to me to be in these places, moved by their
beauty and wildness. These rugged landscapes have taught me what I want my
paintings to be—strong yet nuanced, bold yet intricate, and possessing a quiet,
contained energy.
The materials I use in this work are oil paint, powdered pigment, and cold wax medium,
a paste-like substance that adds body and luminosity to the paint. My techniques are
ones that I originated in my practice over 20 years ago and are now widely recognized
and taught. My process is complex, involving many layers of paint and wax that are
layered, scratched, imprinted, and dissolved to reflect what occurs naturally in nature.
There is resonance between this process and my personal connection to the ancient
landscapes I love."
– Rebecca Crowell
