”COLOR PLAY” ART SHOW by AKIKO CUTLIP at ISLAND-BOY 

New works by AKIKO CUTLIP are at ISLAND-BOY!!! Show Opening — Friday, October 20th, 6-8pm at 307C Kamani Street. Pieces will be available starting October 20th at 6pm. Shipping will be an additional charge, and sent via email invoice. Flat fees: $150 Mainland; $75 Inter-Island; Free in-store pickup.

COLOR PLAY

I begin with an empty canvas and a very loose agenda. I don’t plan my paintings ahead of time. I believe the art has its own voice and I am simply here to facilitate that onto canvas. In the rare case I do have some sort of preconceived idea, the painting rarely agrees and it will inevitably choose its own path. A path, I of course contemplate, but in the end, whole heartedly embrace.

My paintings reflect a sense of harmony. A harmony of my memories, emotions, and expressive nature all intertwined into one moment. My art is simply a series of moments laid out on canvas for the viewer to enjoy. Each painting, each moment, open for interpretation.

“Color Play” the title of this exhibition, speaks to the playful nature of my work and process. Color is important in my work. I see the use of color as a sort of puzzle to solve within the process... and at the same time it seems to fall off the brush in a very intuitive manner.

Color also conjures up memory. I have so many memories from my childhood in Japan. Memories that bring color to the forefront of my art process. I used to wear beautiful kimonos on those special occasions i hold so dear to my heart. I remember them so vividly. The colors.... neon pink, candy apple red, and baby blue are just some of my favorites. These colors playfully presenting themselves on the fabric, as they now do in my artwork. Flower patterns in pink, red Camelia blossoms in the bright white snow... and also interjections of sharp black which speaks to my love of calligraphy – an ancient art form in Japan, but yet so modern and fresh. The movement of the Sumi ink as it absorbs into the paper.. it is a sensation like no other.

These moments of play and history, and childhood memories. These are the moments that make up my art. These are the moments that keep me coming back for more, and I am so very grateful...

-Akiko