Abstract painter is December artist

Abstract artist Micki High is the December artist-in-residence at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. 

High is known for richly layered surfaces and evocative mark-making to create a “mystery inherent in our understanding and experience of nature.”

“My paintings are a response to subjects that are often more felt than named,” she said. “I filter out the need for the realistic to represent the essence of a seen image. Tapping into multisensory memories and a liminal world leads to abstract shapes, textures, colors and marks that evoke the impressions of the internal and external landscapes we’ve traveled to be here.”

She uses squeegees, palette knives, stencils, brayers, mono printing, bold shapes, gestural lines, incisions and compressed layers to create paintings filled with depth, texture and emotional resonance.

High will demonstrate her art from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec 5; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec 6; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 10; 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec 12; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec 14; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 16; noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec 18; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec 21.

High will also lead several hands-on workshops for beginners and more experienced artists.

“Introductory Cold Wax & Oil Painting” will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday, Jan. 8 and 9; and again from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 29 and 30.

Participants will explore the fundamentals of abstract painting using oil and cold wax. High will guide students through intuitive mark-making, layering, reduction, excavation, color harmony, drying considerations and composition as they work on two to three pieces.

The cost is $95 for center members and $114 for nonmembers. There is an additional $45 fee for supplies, which are provided. Students are asked to bring an apron, paper towels and landscape photo references.

“Intermediate Cold Wax and Oil” will be taught from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19 and 20, and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.

The course is for those with previous experience and is designed to expand technique, conceptual development and refinement of emerging subject matter.

To register or for more information, call (262) 375-3676 or visit www.CedarburgCulturalCenter.org.

The center is at W62 N546 Washington Ave.