Artists on Santa Fe features work by Jon Koenigsberg

“Through the Valley of Death” runs February 28–March 31, 2024

a really weird journey

Wow.  It all started about a year ago with my diagnosis of cancer.  Normality ceased to exist, while I did my best to continue.  I usually like to make people laugh, or at least look for the humor in a situation, but this was beyond my abilities to make light.

 Treatment started and everything else in life stopped, especially my art career.  Days sped by, too tired to walk, too nauseous to eat, hoping that I would emerge and live again.

 Weeks turned into months.  Treatments continued, pulling every ounce of strength from me, sapping my energy until I was too weak to perform even basic everyday functions.  That was the low point of my journey through the valley.

 After the last blast of treatments, I slowly climbed up the hill to once again rejoin the living.  I had emerged from the valley of death and regained my life.  Painting and sculpting once again became part of my new life.

 I thought that after my journey through the valley that my artwork would dramatically change, that it would be darker, more chaotic and violent.  Instead, it has become more organized, a little less violent, and lighter in color than it was a year ago.  I feel more free to explore new shapes, colors, and marks on the canvas.

 My attitude towards life has changed – I now view life as a temporary journey with a limited duration.  I am determined to make the most of the time I have left.  An interesting byproduct of the whole situation is that I no longer fear death, just snakes.

 This exhibition is about the grateful rebirth of my life after the difficult journey.

“Through the Valley of Death” runs from Feb. 28 through Mar. 31, 2024

First Friday Mar. 1st, 6:00-9:00pm

Artist Reception Friday, Mar.15, 5:00-8:30pm

Vibes

Paintings by Tim McKay

What helps you remember who you are?

Vibes explores how both representational and abstract imagery can induce a mood of reflection and meditation. The show features new works from McKay’s Santa Monica and Complexity series, utilizing broad color fields and pattern mash-ups.

About the Santa Monica series:

At age 11 McKay moved to Santa Monica from New Jersey and lived there through his high school years. He instantly fell in love with the ocean. During summers he was at the beach many times each week. A strong swimmer, McKay was certified as a lifeguard and swimming instructor.

For McKay, the beach was a place of sensuality—the heat of the sand, the cold of the ocean, the eeriness of fog banks, the sting of a jellyfish, sensing one’s own smallness among vast waters and trillions of grains of sand. The Santa Monica series captures the personal nature of McKay’s experience at the beach through large color fields and simplified, iconic forms. In viewing the works, McKay invites others to share in the awe of the natural world and one’s place in it.

 About Tim:

Tim McKay is a Denver-based artist who works in acrylic, mixed media and ceramics. Primarily, his art is about the use of color, line, and creating meaningful interplay between organic and inorganic forms. Thematically, his work explores the intersection of random and predictable actions and is aligned with the Color Field and Constructionist/Systems movements.

McKay worked for over 20 years as a software designer, and within his practice of art applies concepts of software engineering such as scalability and user-centered design in creating a body of work with a consistent style that welcomes all viewers.  He believes in the value of art as a tool to engender moments of stillness that encourage people to connect with their thoughts and feelings in a deeper way.

In addition, other fine art will be displayed in the gallery by resident artists, including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media and sculpture.

 

The exhibition “Vibes” will run  April 4th – 28th, 2024

First Friday Reception: April 5th, 6 to 9 PM

Third Friday Collectors Evening: April 19th, 5 to 8:30 PM

Sundays on Santa Fe: April 28th, 11 AM to 3 PM