Leucadia welcomes the newest addition to its expanding art scene this weekend.
Saturday evening Contemporary Latin American painter Nadine Baurin is hosting the grand opening of her exciting new gallery at 996 North Coast Highway 101.
A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nadine Baurin’s dynamic artistic style has been inspired by her journeys and painting studies throughout the United States, Europe, and Latin America, particularly her Argentinean homeland. She reflects, “In many of my pieces I have subconsciously incorporated imagery and themes that have a vivid cultural connection to my upbringing.
These images have clearly emerged from memories ranging from the port of Buenos Aires to the vastness of Patagonia and the flatlands of The Pampas.”
Growing up in an artistic family who fostered her creativity, Baurin had glimpses of Art as her destiny since early childhood.
She recalls that painting on the walls of her bedroom as a young child was not discouraged. “The only rule was I had to keep my little doodles within the perimeter of my room.”
During a month in Paris at age 16, Baurin fell in love with the work of the Post-Impressionists at the Musée d’Orsay, particularly the energetic brushstrokes of Vincent Van Gogh. Abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning’s color juxtaposition, as well as British Romantic painter Joseph M.W. Turner’s shimmering use of light strongly influenced her artistic development.
Baurin moved to the U.S. in 1992 to attend Principia College in Elsah, Ill., where she earned a bachelor’s of arts in Studio Art.
Since 2003 she has been building her successful painting career.
She says of the evolution of her artwork, “Throughout the years my paintings have fluctuated back and forth between being textural to being layered with a fluid feel. Pouring my feelings into the work in order to trigger an emotion in the viewer, however, has remained a constant.”
“The main purpose of my art is to evoke an emotion in the viewer; to trigger imagination and encourage reflection. I believe that while I am the one who creates a painting, it is ultimately the viewer who is able to give it its unique life.”
Baurin describes her painting process, “Except for the underlying washes of paint, which I apply with a broad brush, I work on subsequent layers primarily with a palette knife and any other tool I have within reach that will do the job: a rag, the end of the brush handle, etc. I am very generous in my use of paint. I use a lot of it — layer upon layer of color and texture.”
She continues, “My method involves a long process of reworking multiple layers of paint and turning the canvas frequently as I continue to dig, wipe and blot the painting until layer upon layer intertwined in this seemingly controlled chaos, an image emerges taking over and influencing the direction of the piece. I continue to work freely until at some point in the process I step down from the reflective meditation and switch to more of an analytical frame of mind focusing on specific aspects that might need to be fine-tuned in order to complete the process.”
The result is described by fellow artist Jerry Calote, “Nadine Baurin paints in an expressionistic style characterized by a dynamic undertone. Through rich textures and confident brushstrokes, she creates emotionally charged canvases that resonate with verve and freedom.”
Baurin, who loves the laid-back style and bohemian feel of Leucadia, is enthusiastic about being a part of the community by locating her new gallery here.
Meet Baurin at the grand opening of her gallery at 996 North Coast Highway 101, Suite C, Leucadia Oct. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m.
More information is available at NadineBaurin.com
Kay Colvin is director of the L Street Fine Art Gallery in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, serves as an arts commissioner for the City of Encinitas, and specializes in promoting emerging and mid-career artists. Contact her at [email protected].
