Audra Weaser: Open Waters

GBGLA is pleased to present Open Waters, the gallery’s fourth solo exhibition of paintings by Los Angeles-based artist, Audra Weaser.  This new body of work continues Weaser's meditative studies of light and natural landscapes.  Open Waters will be on view at the gallery through June 18th.

Nature in an abstracted or reflected state has always been an inspiration for Weaser - from vast oceans and rapid streams to mystical forests. Such scenes often evoke powerful, emotionally charged memories or sensibilities that she hopes to elicit in the viewer while being open to interpretation.

Weaser writes, “Reflecting upon open waters always gives me a sense of possibility. It evokes the essence of repose or serenity that comes when all your senses are present, united and in balance with the natural world. And with that comes a willingness to embrace the unknown.

In this series of paintings, expansive bodies of water gently rippled with light are represented by large fields of iridescent color. These heightened colors often correspond to my own experiences—from swimming in the Pacific Ocean throughout my childhood to sailing and snorkeling in Hawaii and the Caribbean.”

Weaser's process starts by building up layers of tinted plaster that are “submerged” by a veil of white paint. From there, she reveals the underlying composition with a rigorous sanding technique. This gives the paintings a sculptural depth that is still ethereal and atmospheric.  

This process also involves a level of trust in the unknown - trust that she will discover something that resonates just below the surface.  Weaser has spent years refining her technique and brings an expertise to the process - this balanced with the element of chance create a striking tension in the immersive compositions.

Audra Weaser is an American painter and sculptor living in Los Angeles, CA. She earned her B.F.A. from Laguna College of Art and Design and her M.F.A in painting from Claremont Graduate University. Since then, she has exhibited extensively and her work can be found in private and public collections throughout the world—from New York and San Francisco to Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Singapore.