Boulder Artist Kristen Abbott Brings Colorado’s Foliage to the Canvas in The Language of Leaves

Boulder-based mixed media painter Kristen Abbott is showcasing her solo exhibition, "The Language of Leaves," at the New Local’s Annex, running through October 8. The exhibition features more than 24 cyanotypes, a photographic printing process that uses ultraviolet light to create images in a striking cyan blue. Abbott's work captures the beauty of Colorado's foliage, particularly the Front Range's native plants, without requiring visitors to venture into the mountains. Abbott's artistic process begins with coating canvases, typically made of linen, silk, or cotton, with a cyanotype emulsion. These prepared canvases are then taken outdoors, where she meticulously arranges gathered leaves and stems onto their surfaces. To complete the process, she places cut glass on top and allows the Colorado sun to act as a secondary artist, cooking the pieces and shaping the final cyanotype through the intensity of the sun's rays. After the sun has done its work, Abbott sometimes enhances her cyanotypes with water-based inks and pastel colors. She employs earthy shades of emerald, cerulean, and rust to create a soothing color palette, adding another layer of depth to her nature-inspired compositions. The artist's selection of native plants for this exhibit is deeply rooted in their symbolic meanings. Abbott explores how leaves have historically been associated with various emotions and concepts, ranging from sadness and mourning to connection, tolerance, and beauty. For example, ivy leaves symbolize fidelity and long-term relationships, while willow leaves are often linked with grief. Through these symbolic interpretations, Abbott aims to highlight the balance and rhythm of the changing seasons and to reflect the unpredictability of life itself. Abbott's journey into cyanotype began in the summer of 2020 when she ordered a kit to experiment with her two daughters during the pandemic. This initial exploration ignited a passion for the medium, leading her to set up a darkroom in her garage. Her inspiration for sourcing leaves comes from various locations, including her South Boulder yard, South Boulder Creek, and Sunshine Canyon, especially during October when the foliage turns golden. The artist often engages in plein-air painting sessions in Sunshine Canyon, further connecting with the natural environment that inspires her work. Abbott's artwork is designed to evoke a sense of calm, respite, and beauty, intending to bring these qualities into the homes of collectors. She expresses a desire for her pieces to be something viewers can continually discover new aspects within. Following the close of her solo exhibition, many of Abbott's pieces will continue to be available for purchase at the New Local’s main outpost on Pearl Street. This all-female nonprofit gallery, which houses works from over 60 local women artists, also provides studio space and hosts workshops, fostering a vibrant creative community. Abbott values the creative energy and sense of shared purpose that being part of The New Local provides, describing it as a contagious environment where creative women pursue their diverse artistic endeavors. #BoulderArt #KristenAbbott #Cyanotypes #TheLanguageOfLeaves #ColoradoFoliage #MixedMediaArt #NatureInspiredArt #ArtExhibition #TheNewLocal #BoulderArt #KristenAbbott #Cyanotypes #TheLanguageOfLeaves #ColoradoFoliage #MixedMediaArt #NatureInspiredArt #ArtExhibition #TheNewLocal

27 months ago

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