You might say art is in the hands for Angela Kardynal.
The Yorkton-based painter currently has her works on display at the pARTners Gallery in the Yorkton Public Library with most of the works highlighting close ups of hands.
Kardynal says her interest in art has been a long one, evolving over time to focus recent interest on hands.
In terms of interest she said “probably my whole life,” adding her career now reflects that, with her focus on graphic design and marketing.
But, her painting is something that she has developed by the tried and true method of trial and error.
“I’m a self-taught artist,” she said, adding her education has been a long one. “I’ve painted as long as I can remember really… My dad was an artist I probably was influenced by him quite a bit…
“I just feel drawn to art and want to do it. It’s something that feeds my soul, makes me happy, and makes me feel content.”
The works in the current show have been created over the last three years, with some pieces created with acrylic paints, and others with oils.
The medium of oils is something relatively new for Kardynal, creating a new experience at the easel.
“It’s a little different than acrylic,” she explaining since it dries more slowly there is more time to adjust the piece. “I do kind of prefer it now that I’m using it more often.”
But why the fascination with hands, regardless of the medium used?
“My grandpa he’s a war veteran. I can really see him in the hands,” she said, pointing out her favourite piece in the show.
And that is what fascinates her.
“I always say the hands are almost as expressive as the face,” said Kardynal.
Of course getting hands to look natural in a painting is not easy. Kardynal says she begins the process of a painting with a general idea, then takes photographs of her subjects handing doing what fits with her idea, playing the piano, knitting or drawing as examples.
Then comes the challenge of getting the look just right.
Kardynal said the secret is in capturing the folds of skin, and how those create highlights and shadow.
As an example she pointed to a painting of her grandmother’s hands knitting; “they’re very wrinkled, so there’s all these features in her hands.”
Kardynal said in most of the works in the show there is a very close connection for her as an artist, with the works highlighting the hands within her family.
“They’re meaningful for me,” she said, suggesting she would not likely sell the displayed works, but added she is open to commissions.
The show is her second at the pARTners Gallery, the first show some half decade ago. Kardynal said it’s just as rewarding the second time.
“It’s still very exciting,” she said, adding there is also a returning element of nervousness. “…I feel a little vulnerable.”
But the reaction, including Saturday at a reception for the show, has been positive.
“I think the hands really speak to people,” said Kardynal, adding a past adjudicator of her work suggested to her each painting “tells its own little story … which I think is true.”
