Susan Freedman & Kyle Kraiter

January 2-January 26

 Susan Freedman works in encaustic to create depth and texture in her paintings. She begins with detailed ink patterns & drawings on tissue paper, which is then combined with encaustic medium.  Depth and details are achieved by scraping away some of the wax to reveal the under layers.  Surprise color peeks from the areas scraped away and faint details of drawings entice the viewer.  Susan began her journey toward encaustic when she found herself craving more depth and texture in her work.  She tried adding gels and other mediums, but couldn’t achieve physically what she was picturing in her mind. Then, several years ago she saw an encaustic piece and fell in love with the depth, texture and incredible luminosity. Freedman likes to explore intersections of color, texture and line using organic themes.

Pictured Left:  "Bug" encaustic assembloage on wood

 Kyle Kraiter’s blown glass is smooth and simple in line and form.   True to the nature of the material, Kraiter creates lush color and intriguing shapes. His work appeals the boundaries of the senses.  While his glass is not pretentious or tedious, Kyle still finds new ways to challenge the material.  Kyle's attraction to glass work was tied to an underlying passion for adventure and travel. In Sweden he was accepted into the Glass Design program at Kalmar University. Then back Oregon where he worked at the Bandon Glass Art Studio. Next he went to Singapore, where he worked for Synagraphic, an architectural glass company. Before returning to Oregon, he traveled to Australia and worked at Diffuse Glassworks.  All this experience has given Kyle a unique approach to glass.

Pictured Right: "Cone Plate" blown glass