Exploration of Portals

About the Artists

An Exploration of Portals 

Depending on the definition, portals can be a door, a gateway, or an entrance, often one that is large and imposing. Portals are also symbols of entry points marking the passage from one place to another.

When the artists met to begin collaborating on this exhibit, they talked about where they normally looked for inspiration, such as nature and memories, which are recurring themes in their individual work.

As they delved into these themes, they talked about memories as being transitions between past and present. The conversation evolved into other types of transitions – windows, arches, bridges – which are gateways between one place and another.

Gateways, transitions, portals: The artists had found the theme for this show. The artists challenged themselves to explore what these various types of portals meant to them and how to represent them. For this exhibit, the artists created all new artwork. They worked separately but met regularly to see how each was interpreting the theme. You will see arches and bridges, windows and gates.

Some look real, some look abstract. Some are based on specific places; others are imaginary.

Jan Noden

After Jan earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, her love of watercolor motivated her to also pursue a Bachelor of fine Arts Degree in painting. Based on the quality of her work over several years, both the Ohio Watercolor and the National Collage Society inducted her as a signature member. Although she continues to explore the possibilities of water-based media, new ideas have inspired her to pursue new directions with collage by combining printing, painting, drawing, and photography. Her artwork in multimedia has been exhibited and won awards in local, state, and national competitions.

Jan has participated in juried shows in many venues including the following:
The Butler Institute of American Art
The Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
The Philadelphia Port of History Museum
The Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery
The Case Western Reserve University Gallery
The Summit Artspace
The Pittsburgh National Aqueous Open
The Cornell Museum of Art

Karen Koch

Karen Koch relies on her love of nature and memories of days gone by for inspiration for her artwork. Her recent work explores memories, especially distant memories: the feelings they evoke and the impressions they make as they come into focus. The results are colorful abstract paintings and collages that invite the viewer to form their own interpretations of the work. Karen has been painting and drawing for as long as she can remember. She has always had pencil and paper in her hands. That early childhood pastime has become a lifelong passion.

Karen majored in Studio Art and English Literature at Denison University. After graduating, she worked at art galleries and continued painting for several years. When she eventually took a job in another field, she stopped painting for more than a decade. In 2005, she began painting again with a focus on painting with acrylics, inks, and watercolor, along with elements of collage and stitching.