Transmutations-Numa Past and Present by Kimberly Avanna Lawson

This body of work encompasses abstract multimedia collage paintings which utilize objects found in old dumpsites of the Walker River Paiute reservation in Schurz, Nevada. These abstract paintings utilize objects such as old pieces of wood, rusted screen, rust dust, shoe soles, tar roof shingles, willow and feathers. Kimberly incorporates these items which are remnants from dilapidated facades to give a new life to these items. Kimberly is interested in the transience of items and how they change form over time. Just as history and people change over time. She uses texture to mimic asbestos which was used in many buildings in the past. Sometimes history may be hard to look at as there is pain in those stories. History can be ugly and painful just as her abstracts can be ugly and hard to look at, she mirrors these painful moments in history with the resilience of the present.

Kimberly Avanna Lawson

Kimberly was born on the Walker River Paiute reservation of Schurz Nevada. She studied Creative Writing at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She then studied Photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. Creative Writing is where Kimberly learned how to really understand imagery, juxtaposition and depth that challenge perspective. She learned how to paint with words and how to tell stories with imagery.  Kimberly likes to challenge the traditional parameters of presentation.  Avanna gleans the desert landscape looking for items she can use in her mixed media paintings.  She is interested in the transience of relics of the past. She sees beauty in rust and old weathered paint on curled up weathered lumber.

Cloudscapes – In “Cloudscapes,” I explore the beauty and transient nature of clouds. Through my art, I capture the fleeting shapes and forms of clouds, reflecting on the temporary moments in our lives.

My work includes acrylic paintings that focus on the diverse textures and patterns of clouds. I use light and shadow to bring out their ephemeral quality, inviting viewers to appreciate the ever-changing sky above us.

This show is a celebration of the natural world’s simple beauty and a reminder to cherish each passing moment. I hope “Cloudscapes” inspires everyone to look up and find wonder in the clouds.

Kelsey Mast – Born in South Bend, Indiana, Kelsey’s journey with the arts began in the embrace of melodies and rhythms. She adored climbing trees when she was 7 and sketch for hours at a time listening to music on her tape player. Her sonic inspirations, spanning the rock anthems of Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix, to the soulful sounds of Motown, and the masterful cello of Yo-Yo Ma, shaped her multifaceted artistic pursuits. With music as her guiding muse, Kelsey dove into various musical disciplines: from the keys of a piano and the strings of a cello. Her studio resonates with melodies, a testament to her belief that art and music are inseparable companions. 

Kelsey honed her craft at the esteemed Herron School of Art & Design in Indianapolis, Indiana. With a BA in Fine/Studio Arts earned in 2012, she delved deeper into the world of art, embarking on her MA in Art Therapy the following year. Kelsey’s academic pursuits mirror her personal convictions about the transformative and therapeutic power of creative expression. It was important for her to share the feeling she always had when she pressed play on a song and put the paintbrush on the canvas, with others.

In 2023 she honed her focus into hyperrealism acrylic painting, where she replicates imagery she experiences in nature with her brush. Now residing in the vibrant city of Reno, Nevada, Kelsey continues to marry her artistry with her professional endeavors. She has experience in collaborating with esteemed designers, galleries, and diverse clientele, crafting unique works that bear her distinctive  realistic touch.