ABOUT MINÁS: THE GALLERY

Minás Gallery opened in 1992. It is one of a few Baltimore galleries specializing in solo exhibitions of local artists. The second floor venue doubles as an intimate gathering space for literary events and performances. Besides the poetic vein that attracts artists to our gallery, we always look for a contemporary appeal with a folk element in the works we exhibit. Folktemporary, as we call it.

Every show hangs for three months, giving you plenty of time to experience each one. Our collectors are fans of the indigenous culture. Our reasonable prices allow everyone to take a piece of it home.

 

CURRENT SHOW

Karen Flann
Leaving Iowa
Collages

December 10 – February 26, 2012
Reception: Saturday, December 10 / 6 – 9 pm

»click image to preview Karen Flann artwork.

About the Paintings

No matter where you grow up, it's easy to develop the longing for a different landscape. The idea that a change of scenery brings a change of spirit is nothing new. It provokes the questions: What is home? Is it the landscape that nurtures us? Is there a specific landscape that speaks to each of us? Or are there places in the imagination that feed us, no matter our latitude and longitude. What is that special place? Is it in the layers of paper and watermedia? The longing for connection of all the pieces of life? For this art, soft gel is the magic that makes the connections.

The work in Leaving Iowa reflects on the experience that comes along with the leaving. While there is the joy of discovery, there is simultaneously a mourning the loss of the familiar. The experience is re-created as each piece is made. There is a departure with excitement and anticipation as new pieces of paper and beautiful colors. Moments, weeks, and sometimes months later, searching for a special place in the piece can lead to a feeling of being lost in the landscape of the image. There is a feeling of yearning for a familiar space in this imagined world. Finally, everything clicks, just like hearing the voices of family on the phone.

About the Artist

Karen Flann's art journey began when she studied Spiritual Color Veiling with Barbara Thelin Preston. After exploring watercolor and abstract acrylic painting with a series of nationally-known teachers, including Carolyn Gawarecki and Marsha Staiger, she became fascinated with abstract collage. She was able to study with both Gerald Brommer and Mary Todd Beam. As a result, Flann has become something of a bag lady, constantly looking for stray bits of material
to incorporate into her next piece of work.

Her work has been accepted into juried shows at River Farm, Green Spring Gardens Park, the Vienna Art Society, Gallery West, Aldie Mill, and the Sewall Belmont House and Museum in Washington, D.C. For the past two years, she has been juried into the bin gallery at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia. She was a guest artist at the Vale Arts Fall 2010 art show and sale in Oakton. In September of 2012 she will be in a group show with other collage artists at the Ratner Museum in Bethesda.

Flann is a member of the Springfield Art Guild, the Art League at the Torpedo Factory, the Fairfax Council for the Arts, and the National Collage Society. She lives in Annandale, Virginia. She frequently comes to Baltimore to visit her daughter, Kathy Flann, who teaches at Goucher College. Proceeds from the sale of Flann's work always go to the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research in memory of her father and brother.

Contact information: Karen Flann / kflann4@verizon.net / 703-764-8061.

 

 

Next SHOW

 

 

UPCOMING SHOWS

KATHY STRAUSS
March – May 2012

MINÁS
June – August 2012

ALLISON PASAREW
September – November 2012

TEDDY JOHNSON
December 2012 – February 2013

PENNY BAMFORD
March – May 2013

MINÁS
June – August 2013