People entering Dundee Gallery to see Karen Schnepf’s exhibit invariably do a double take.
The 70 works in this show, called “Et Cetera and So On,” look like colored glass. But they’re actually acrylic paintings.
Schnepf coats all of her pieces in a clear, glossy finish that she developed from a secret recipe. That varnish-like layering gives her paintings a laminated feel and a shimmering sparkle.
The works in “Et Cetera” fall into several broad categories.
Schnepf’s “Petals” series, which was first displayed last spring at Lauritzen Gardens, depicts flowers in brilliant orange, green and purple hues. They look like Georgia O’Keeffe paintings that have been fused into glass.
Her “Buildings” series shows simple, two-dimensional views of town houses. These works are generally conventional and realistic.
A painting called “Urban Lakehouse,” however, is more abstract. It consists of a series of vertical rectangles standing side by side. A pair of circles on the left side of the painting could be life preservers or portholes.
Schnepf is usually at her best when working in abstraction.
One of her most distinctive works — the aptly titled “Center of Attention” — consists of an almost Jackson Pollock-like series of dribbles, swirls, lines and circles.
“Happens Again 3” consists of a group of circles that seem to be oozing and dripping paint. They look almost like surreal balloons melting under a scorching sun.
Schnepf’s works remain on display through Sept. 20.
Contact the writer:
444-1076, john.pitcher@owh.com
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
