Artist of the Week: Kelly Ording

The medium of painting, applying color to surface, has a natural element to it. Isn't color itself derived from nature? Lately I have found myself drawn to more natural tones, and paintings that explore the endless supply of beauty contained in the world around. Paintings that deal with what we have chosen the construct on top of the nature and paintings that illustrate that struggle. Over the next few weeks I hope to present artists that confront this issue and filter life in each realm through their own experience and understanding.

This week I talked with San Fransisco's Kelly Ording about her work and her infusion of natural and constructed objects into her painting. Her work tends to focus more of the balance than the struggle, but her coffee stained backgrounds add an element of unpredictability that can only be found in nature.

Orange Alert (OA): How would describe your work?
Kelly Ording (KO): Imagine you just woke up from a nap in the hot sun in a place you've never been, maybe a place that doesn't even exist. My paintings are like that... kinda realistic, kinda dreamy, a place in between.

OA: Your work, at times, seems to deal with structures and how they interact with nature. Do you feel there is some contrast there or are they simply two areas you like to explore?
KO: Actually, both. I like to contrast architecture (often sharp, geometric line-work) with natural elements (stains, organic imagery). We all live in two worlds... the natural world surrounding us and the human-made structures surrounding us (buildings, skyscrapers, cars, buses). Almost like living in a box within a box. So, I enjoy bringing both elements to a piece. They both oppose one another and harmonize with one another.

A lot of these "structures" in my paintings are actually homes (or representations of homes). I've always been interested in the idea of a home, whether you leave it behind when you walk out the door or whether you take it with you. I like to travel a lot, and I often think of where home is. When I was younger, I would often struggle with both wanting to be on the move at all times, and wanting to settle down and belong somewhere. I've even done a few pieces of houseboats which seems to be a quick resolution to this struggle.

OA: How did you first start incorporating coffee into your pieces, and what do you feel it adds to your paintings?
KO: I first began using coffee in my work by experimenting with a lot of materials... spilling coffee or tea on paper, curries, spices, really anything that would stain paper. At that time, I was highly influenced by Asian artworks. Many of those pieces are on aged paper and I just love the look of that old paper. So, I began dyeing my paper in coffee to achieve that antique look. I really like the contrast between that appearance of an old surface and the use of bright acrylic colors.

Many times the way the pieces come out of that dyeing process will determine the composition of a piece. So, the works actually begin with that first soak in the coffee.

OA: You have done a couple of murals, what are your thoughts on commissioned street art, and do you feel your work belongs on larger and more visible canvases?
KO: I absolutely love commissioned and guerrilla style street art. I wish every surface of a city was painted! I believe good murals have the capability to completely uplift people, bring beauty into everyday lives and transform a neighborhood. Unfortunately, many people don't or aren't able to go see art regularly. So, if art creeps into their lives in unexpected ways, I think it's a wonderful thing.

I'm lucky to be married to an amazing muralist, Jet Martinez. He blows my mind by the way he's able to walk up to a HUGE wall and just.... begin. Little hesitation and little self consciousness. I am still building my confidence to work outside, a bit exposed to your audience. But, with every mural, it gets easier. I would love to continue to work on large scale outdoor pieces and bring my work to the everyday passer-by. Also, painting murals is an amazing excuse to travel. If you are painting in a different city or country, you'd be amazed by the people you meet. Bringing beauty to someone else's town is unbelievably fulfilling.

However, I am able to do things on my paintings that I just can't do on wall pieces. Generally, the materials don't translate. So, I am happy to do both for their own reasons.

OA: You recently participated in a group show at 111 Mina Gallery called 'First Things First'. Do you ever view your differently when it is presented in a group setting? What were your thoughts on that show in general?
KO: I enjoy showing with other artists because sometimes all the pieces or styles can play with or against each other. A group show can offer many different aspects on ways artists tackle a theme or are working through their own personal goals. A group show is more of a party or celebration for me. And of course, you get to meet new artists.

I prefer solo shows, even though they are a bit more serious and stressful. With a solo show, I really attempt to create a whole world for the viewer to enter. You are usually able to present a larger body of work, so the viewer is able to get a broader idea of your intent, style, etc...

I thought "First Things First" was a really interesting show that presented some really wonderful artists. There was a really nice use of organic forms throughout the works and some great collage pieces (which I don't think are shown enough these days).

OA: What's next for Kelly Ording?
KO: Making more super large scale works on paper, a show at the SFMOMA Artists Gallery, traveling to Mexico this summer and helping my son learn how to walk.

Bonus Questions:
OA: If you could sit down to coffee with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be?
KO: I have to choose just one! I suppose it would be Jacques Cousteau. I would love to ask him about those first trips under the water using his underwater breathing apparatus, or "aqua lungs". To hear him describe the undiscovered world of the ocean would be mind-blowing. I love that he described it as the "silent world". It must have been amazing to go places no one had ever gone before.

OA: What type of music do you listen to and who are a few of your favorites?
KO: I listen to all kinds of music...I'm pretty open minded with music. Recently, I've been listening to Shantel, a German producer and DJ who plays Balkan music with electronic beats. It's fantastic... I feel like I woke up to find myself at some Albanian house party with thirty polka players. I'm also listening a lot to The Gaslamp Killer, Benga, Skream.

For more information on Kelly Ording please visit her website.