Category Archives: Studio News

Kali as a symbol of Climate Change

The Age of Kali, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, 14.5X17.5 in

The Age of Kali, Kathleen Thoma, monotype & chine colle, 14.5x 17.5 in

Art, Earth Day & Climate Change

While creating an entry for the upcoming show; Sweet Earth/Bitter Earth at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, CA; the myth and stories of the Hindu Goddess Kali, jumped into my mind. 

The theme this year is our relationship to the environment. And for me, that is the heartbreaking news of climate change which is everywhere around us and has been ongoing for a long while. According to recent UN reports, we are nearly out of time. We have about twelve years perhaps.

I have always seen climate change in symbolic forms as if it were happening through a series of images from a dream. This dream which is shared by all of the life on our planet; is either going to be changed by all of us working together or it will continue growing into a nightmare. 

My image shows the “ruins” of our lives and civilizations in the upper left, while also showing the “forest of life” to the right. So the image can be read in either direction. The question becomes: Are we going to towards the ruins of our planet’s ecosystem? Or are we going to rebirth our planet?  And while Kali dances between the two possible futures; at her feet, we see the poisons that we have already left behind on earth, the plastic, the death, the radiation. 

The Hindu Goddess Kali is a complex, ancient symbol of change, death and rebirth, healing, cycles of time, and opportunity. Although most traditional images show her only in her terrible death aspect, she is also seen as the mother, who gives us the courage to hope while she helps cut away ignorance with her wicked sword. 

The Los Angeles Printmaking Society is a national non-profit artist-run organization. The juror, Marion Estes has selected many wonderful hand-pulled prints for this exhibition.  I hope you will see our LA Printmaking Spring Show at Eagle Rock from April 5-April 30, which in conjunction with many other Earth Day-related activities. 

Update: 

 I have a few photos to share from the opening.

Exhibition Signage

2019-Sweet Earth-Bitter Earth exhibition signage

The Age of Kali, Kathleen Thoma

The Age of Kali, Kathleen Thoma

gallery view of Sweet Earth/Bitter Earth, Center for the Arts at Eagle Rock, LA

Gallery view of Sweet Earth/Bitter Earth, Center for the Arts at Eagle Rock, LA

link to info on exhibition

 

New series of Monotypes

 

Contemplations on Samsara-1, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, 11x14 in

Contemplations on Samsara-1, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, 11×14 in

Meditations on Samsara is a series of monotypes based upon my practice of focus on one symbol in order to quiet the mind. This practice is the basis for this new series of works showing the slowly developing changes in the object of focus. This series of monotypes documents the many other images, which came into my mind during the practice. These other surrounding images are the inspiration for my artwork. Dream Yoga info  The complete description and images from this series is within the portfolio. Meditations on Samsara

Contemplations on Samsara, in process, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, 11x14 in

Contemplations on Samsara, work in process, Kathleen Thoma, monoype, 11×14 in

 

Meditations on Samsara-7, Kathleen Thoma, monotype & paint, 11x14 in

Meditations on Samsara-7, Kathleen Thoma, monotype & paint, 11×14 in

Some changes on my web site as well, it has a new store format, within each of the galleries, after clicking upon an image; you can access the shopping cart.

What have I been up to? Preparing for fall events…

The past few months I have been very busy working on new relief prints for some fall events.

Matrix, Kathleen Thoma, relief, 4x6 in

Matrix, Kathleen Thoma, relief, 4×6 in

I will participate in the annual The Los Angeles Printmaking Society’s show “Give and Take”, which opens November 9, 2017 at the Angel City Brewery. This is part of an effort to raise funds for student scholarships and printmaking outreach. Information about this show is at www.laprintmakers.com/site/node917

I will also have a table at the 9th Annual Los Angeles Printers Fair in Carson, CA, which takes place on Saturday Oct. 14, from 10 am to 5pm. I will be showing at table A2, inside the museum. My relief prints and postcards will be for sale there; while I enjoy meeting new people and talking to everyone. Each year I enjoy seeing what everyone has been creating during the year, and looking at all the beautiful papers that the paper vendors are selling.

Divergence of Woman, Kathleen Thoma, relief, 4x6 in

Divergence of Woman, Kathleen Thoma, relief, 4×6 in

This is a fun event for all ages, and a chance to try your hand at printmaking if you have never done so, print your own t-shirt, and watch the demonstrations of old printing presses in the museum. Vendors sell hand-pulled cards, handmade books, posters, invitations, journals, fine art papers, and there is a letterpress swap meet and more. Information at www.printmuseum.org/printersfair/general-information/

My prints will also be for sale on my site by then as well. So if you can’t come to the shows, take a look and see later on.

Showing at the LA Printers Fair 2015

On October 3, I enjoyed participating in the “Los Angeles Printers Fair 2015”, at the International Printing Museum in Carson, CA. I was at table 1A, inside the building, for those of you who may have stopped by. The show was a wonderful event, many great vendors, and demostrations. I had a blast and wish I could do this show every weekend.

photo of table at LA Printer's fair

My table at the 2015 LA Printer’s Fair

This is part of my greater goal of answering the larger question, which is…

How do I re-create my new and latest studio-nest?

Framed 8x10's ready to go by Kathleen Thoma

Framed 8×10’s ready to go

Many times in my life, I have been forced to move very long distances, both for reasons of choice or by circumstances beyond my control. I have lived in three countries, France, Canada and in six states in the US. I have had plenty of opportunities to learn both flexibility and adaptability. This has always been a challenge, an adventure, and it has also provided support to my creative endeavors. My most recent move from Connecticut to Orange County, CA was a very necessary one, for my husband badly needed a job, and I wanted to return to Southern California.

Wherever I go, I need to create a new studio, which I think of as a “nest” for incubating my venerable young ideas on their way to becoming whatever it is they need to grow into. I think of my studio as a nest because that is where I find myself and create a quiet, creative home for my work. (more…)

Studio News-relocation to CA

After more than a year of trials and tribulations, I have relocated my studio, Kathleen Thoma Art, to Orange County, CA. I am very excited about the Irvine Fine Arts Center. They have a printmaking open studio available for artists to use. Last Wednesday, I decided to try it out and I was able to create a few images that I thought were worth my time.

 

New Journeys, monotype, Kathleen Thoma Art

One of my new works, “New Journeys”, 11 x 14, monotype

 

 

After a number of intense play/work hours, I ended up with a few things to show.

Kathleen Thoma at Laguna Beach

What a background! I am gathering inspiration at the beach, really.

I enjoyed meeting the wonderful people at the center and will certainly come again.

 

 

 

Come again to see my work inspired by the amazing beauty and color of southern California!