Artsy Shark
Artist Magali Lenarczak presents a portfolio of vibrant, textural paintings that tell visual stories.
Artsy Shark
Seattle Refined
Artist of the week
Merrill Gardens
Meet artist Magali Lenarczak, Kirkland
Eastside artist Magali Lenarczak has two watercolor pieces on display, one called The Migrants and another entitled Takes 2 to Tango.
An artist for many years, Lenarczak paints on a synthetic, water-resistant paper called yupo, which adds an element of unpredictability to her work. Yupo is not absorbent, so the pigment stays on the paper’s surface, adding a textural component as it dries.
It leads to many “happy accidents,” Lenarczak said, and helps ensure that she never gets the same thing twice.
Lenarczak’s featured pieces tell an intricate story that reaches out and draws observers in. At first glance, viewers are dazzled by the beauty and vitality of “The Migrants,” but a closer look stops them in their tracks as the depth of the piece is gradually revealed. Through the layers of blues and reds, her subjects are vividly depicted as they bear the weight of their belongings, navigating barbed wire, language barriers, water and other challenges associated with their journey.
Her compelling use of swirling colors and poignant imagery makes a welcome addition to the show!
Art aficionados can still catch the Kirkland Senior Council’s 11th annual “Creativity is Ageless” art show, which is ongoing at Merrill Gardens Kirkland through Friday, June 28.
This year’s show offers over 60 pieces of original art in a variety of mediums, including oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, photography, driftwood sculpture, quilts and more. Art lovers can stop by Merrill Gardens (14 Main Street S. in downtown Kirkland) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and on weekends to view the exhibit, which is free to browse.