Better Days Ahead. Elise Okrend, artist
A new body of work by artist Elise Okrend will fill The Spotlight Gallery at Wedge Studios from Monday, December 1, through Wednesday, December 31. Her pastel exhibition, Sanctuary, draws inspiration from the healing qualities of nature and the peaceful moments found in quiet places. An opening reception on Saturday, December 6, from 5–7 p.m. will include live atmospheric music by keyboardist and composer Phil Okrend, Elise’s husband.
“The title Sanctuary was inspired by my intention to help people find comfort through art in a world that is increasingly unsettling and unpredictable,” says the artist. “Sanctuary evokes a feeling of warmth, safety and beauty, a retreat from the disturbances of the world. The art I have chosen for this show all speak to this.”
Arise. Elise Okrend, artist
Themes emerge clearly in individual works, including the painting Better Days Ahead, which features Queen Anne’s Lace and symbolizes protection and renewal, and Arise, centered around slender birch trees that evoke grounding and resilience. Works such as her namesake painting Sanctuary, inspired by Crabtree Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway, blend light, fog and water into peaceful, ethereal scenes.
Okrend sees her work as a gentle bridge between inner stillness and the natural world. “Just like an actual trip to a beautiful natural setting which can evoke a sense of awe, peace and beauty, I believe a painting can also do this as it can transport you instantly to another place in time, memory and emotion,” she says. “I add a dreamy quality to my work with the application of soft pastel which adds a depth of mystery to the work. My work has been recognized for a healing quality. Hospitals such as Duke and Mission have recognized this and included my work in their art collections.”
Okrend works entirely with soft pastels and her fingertips on sanded paper. “I was first drawn to pastels when I took numerous art classes in college and remembered always loving using them,” Okrend says. “I explored using them and started to create paintings of clouds, sunsets, sunrises, mist over water and mist over mountains. The medium worked perfectly for these creations. It is great for blending to create an ethereal feel, very forgiving and versatile.”
Music adds another dimension to the opening event and to Okrend’s creative life. “Phil writes melodic music with an emotional and soothing quality that is a perfect complement to my art,” she says. “We have collaborated and produced a number of videos featuring my art and his music. We started making videos over a decade ago and several are featured on my website. We are very excited to share our art up close and personal at the Sanctuary show.”
The Spotlight Gallery at Wedge Studios is located on the second floor at 129 Roberts Street, Asheville. For more information, visit EliseOkrend.com.
