Katharine Burns, Coastal Impressions, Exhibition Catalogue

K A T H A R

N E B U R N S

C O A S T A L I M P R E S S I O N S E X H I B I T I O N C A T A L O G U E N O V E M B E R , 2 0 2 2

I

A B B O Z Z O G A L L E R Y

Toronto ON,

Member of the Art

Association of Canada

401 Richmond Street West, Unit 128,

M5V 3A8. (416) 260 2220 www.abbozzogallery.com

Dealers

Front cover image: Enrapture, see page 2

Artist's Statement

This new body of work celebrates the beauty and variation in the familiar yet ever-wondrous subject of water. Specifically, the Ocean, in its boundless mass and dormant strength. Intentionally differing in their temperament and spirit, each painting captures specific encounters with the coastline that left lasting impressions on me: wading along the subaqueous dunes, watching the sun fall slowly beneath the ocean ’ s horizon, or taking in ferocious and turbulent waves from a safe distance. Moments like these evoke feelings of awe, comfort and relief. These paintings intend to recreate those impressions on canvas.

1

E N R A P T U R E , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N C A N V A S 3 6 X 8 4 I N 2

F R O M W I T H I N , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N C A N V A S 4 8 X 7 2 I N 3

G A L A X Y , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N C A N V A S 3 6 X 7 2 I N 4

G I L D E D S H O R E , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N C A N V A S 5 4 X 3 6 I N 5

G O L D E N H O U R , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N C A N V A S 6 0 X 3 6 I N 6

M I D S U M M E R , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N P A N E L 3 2 I N 7

M O R N I N G H A Z E 1 , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N P A N E L 2 4 X 3 6 I N 8

M O R N I N G H A Z E 2 , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N P A N E L 2 4 X 3 6 I N 9

M O R N I N G H A Z E 3 , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N P A N E L 2 4 X 3 6 I N 10

P N E U M A , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N C A N V A S 5 0 X 8 0 I N 11

U N M O O R E D , 2 0 2 2 O I L O N C A N V A S 3 6 X 3 6 I N 12

Biography

Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the rugged Atlantic coast is intimately familiar terrain for Katharine Burns. Frequent excursions to the beach and beyond, in her sea kayak drifting on the water, a regular witness to the sea ’ s various moods provide her with an endless source of inspiration; and a singularly nuanced perspective on the infinite, immortal phenomenon that is the ocean.

Burns' work generally composed of oil paint on canvas and measuring up to 10 feet long concentrates on the water in different states: waves of all shapes and sizes, foaming surf, sun flecked ripples beneath a luminous blue sky; usually without any other forms or identifying context, unlike the typical postcard seascape, which depicts the ocean and at least a hint of its surroundings (the beach or other landforms, for example). Her paintings typically focus tightly on the water no landlubber’s distractions and the perspectives are up close: in front of a tumultuous wave, floating upon the open sea before a vast horizon (as seen from a kayak maybe).

What I try to capture is intimacy,” says Burns, “and the qualities of the whole ocean environment that captivate us, sometimes unconsciously; or inspire awe in ways we can barely put into words. The sparkles created from sunlight on the water’s surface; the amazing force behind a wave; the little windows of translucency that flash within it for a split second just before it crashes to the shore.”