Rielle Oswald art show at the Nelson Library: simple pleasures, striking multimedia works
By Contributor
The new exhibition at the Nelson Public Library nearly jumps off the wall with beautiful, punchy abstract paintings by Kaslo artist Rielle Oswald.
Oswald describes her artistic process as “para-conscious flow of found materials in random moments of free time.”
Her large, abstract works could also be described as simultaneously complex and simple, multi-layered, and striking.
The freedom inherent in these works may stem from other aspects of Oswald’s life.
“My career as a teacher has given me the opportunity to interact with children ages 5 to 18,” she explains. “Many of the finished works end up as samples of techniques or project ideas for use in the classroom. When we create together, not only do we develop our artistic vision but also our interpersonal relationships.”
Taking that playful inquiry back to the studio, Oswald embraces an intuitive approach using a variety of media.
“I deliberately lose myself in the conceptual moment, not in my actions. In the first step of my creative process there is multi-sensory and interdisciplinary exploration of textures, sounds, materials, and objects,” she says.
“Found objects from the road, the beach, the thrift store, and the forest combine with intuitive painting and collage. Each layer inspires the next. Sometimes images are covered, and sometimes they are used in a new way.”
The exhibition, entitled Simple Pleasures, continues at the Nelson Public Library until the end of April.
