Whimsy

Kyrie Lewis's watercolor paintings are full of mystery, made with layered washes that take on an atmospheric quality. This exhibit, accurately titled Whimsy, invites viewers into Lewis's unique worldbuilding. 

"I love working with watercolors as they give me the ability to create delicate washes and layers which match the stories I attempt to portray," says Lewis. 

Lewis's process is informed by both the external world and her imagination; she will blend the two together in her sketchbook to start. "A few of the pieces in this show are drawn from life, both visually and in narrative reality. The lighting and composition in a certain space will capture my attention and lead to thumbnail sketches that lead to reference photos. Other times, I start with idea sketches and create reference photos to fit them."

"I find the human form endlessly fascinating and full of storytelling possibilities," says Lewis, whose figures feel like familiar fairytale characters that are inviting you into a new world.

Lewis incorporates recurring symbolism into the work: "This show also includes a collection of birds I found particularly compelling that I had the opportunity to study and draw in person. The birds sometimes offer a physical form to nonvisual realities such as chronic pain, while other times they simply showcase their God-given beauty. Several pieces include trees, especially the Weeping Willow, a tree which, in addition to being whimsical in appearance, is featured in many stories." 

Lewis not only imbues her paintings with a sense of whimsy but also transforms the gallery space with fabric installations, bringing the ethereal elements of her paintings into the three-dimensional space. Whimsy offers viewers a sense of intrigue and wonder. Lewis intends for the work's ambiguity to be interpreted differently by each individual, creating a personal fantasy for each viewer.