Artists I Like: Kelly Reemtsen

The first time I saw Kelly Reemtsen's work was on a website for a gallery show that included Wayne Thiebaud.  It was a group show in which both artists were featured.  I'm a big fan of Wayne Thiebaud's art, way back from my art school days and feel lucky to have heard him speak once at my alma mater, Cal State Long Beach.  Kelly's work is similar in style, though a little different in subject matter.  Most of her paintings are of women in beautiful party dresses from the 50's and 60's a la "Mad Men," carrying unexpected items like garden hoses and chain saws.

She also has a series of paintings of candy-colored pills, and some that mix candy and the pills, like the one below.

  

Like Wayne Thiebaud, what I love most about her work are the bright bold colors and thick paint application.  It's so different from my own work, which is probably why I'm attracted to it!   

To see more of Kelly's work, check out her website here: http://www.kellyreemtsen.com.