MiJíKa  n. a filter that creatively interprets reality
Michelle Ideus, Jill Bergman, and Karen Schulman
 
 
Exhibition: December 4, 2012 – December 30, 2012
Opening Reception: First Friday, December 7, 5 – 8p.m.
Artists’ Show & Tell: Saturday, December 8, 12 – 1:30p.m.
 
The Steamboat Springs Arts Council is excited to present MiJíKa, a group exhibition featuring Michelle Ideus, Jill Bergman, and Karen Schulman. While each working in diverse media all three artists have brought together a vibrant and whimsical selection of work highlighting the relationship that they as artists have with the world around them. Literally, from reality to filter to creativity, the works in this exhibition exude a life-like energy. A subtle narrative exists in many of the works individually, though also collectively through a play of framing, process, and texture. This exhibition presents a playful and clever relationship that Ideus, Bergman and Schulman have with their imagination and artistic practice. Alternative photography, printmaking, painting and collage will be exhibited throughout the month of December accompanied by an “Artists’ Show and Tell,” an engaging process driven artists talk, as well an iPhonography workshop, in which Karen Schulman leads a class in her coined photographic process utilizing the iPhone and mobile applications.
 
Michelle Ideus
 
"There is a wonderful feeling that jumps inside of me as I am close to completing a painting.  I stand back, search the canvas from edge to edge, and realize I am just brush strokes away from writing the end of a story!”
 
Michelle’s unique artwork focuses on relationships and movement between color, composition, shape, and texture. She is intrigued by the contrast of these elements and their interaction when combined on canvas. Whether working representationally or challenging the media, Michelle connects with both the intentions and surprises appearing on her canvas. This creative process inspires the building of an idea into a complex bond of color and imagery.
 
Michelle increasingly uses photography for her preliminary studies and it often becomes the inspiration behind new work. Digitally enhancing and filtering her photographic images alters the initial reality, leading to exciting possibilities. Photographs expose the color and composition of the Colorado landscape and allow her to study the shapes and textures. This ever-changing visual powerhouse inspires Michelle with its balance, sincerity, and endless interpretive potential.
 
A 12-year resident of Steamboat Springs, Michelle is gallery member with the Center for Visual Arts and has a new studio in the Red Contemporary Gallery. She also exhibits her work locally at various business locations.  
 
 
Jill Bergman
 
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be a hermit and write books while living high up in the mountains.  My parents were horrified. I’m still very influenced by the beautiful Rocky Mountain landscape and good books, but I appreciate living in town and driving to the library and grocery store whenever I want!”
 
Jill creates detailed linocuts painted with watercolor, and hand-made artist books. Her pieces are usually designed as part of a story, a book, or a series of images. Her work is inspired by the playfulness of children's illustration, the Colorado landscape, and thoughts about our place in the world.
 
She enjoys the progression of making relief prints. From drawing to carving, printing to painting; each step uses a different skill and thought process. The end result is artwork she could not have done with a pen and paint alone.
 
Jill has lived in Steamboat Springs for 10 years and shown her artwork in local and national galleries and gift shops.
 
 
Karen Gordon Schulman
 
“I love capturing moments in time with a photographic image: the essence of a place, the changing light and shadow, the pattern and texture of a scene or the whimsy of a moment.”
 
Karen has always been interested in alternative styles of creative photography including hand painting silver prints, Polaroid SX-70 manipulations, and digital multiple exposures; a sampling of each will be represented in this exhibit.  Her current passion is the new and exciting world of creative iPhoneography. She believes the camera is a ‘tool’ to use in the lifelong process of self-discovery and personal growth. To that end, she says, “With my iPhone always nearby, I am free to respond, create and share my vision spontaneously.”

Karen’s work reflects 21 years of living in the Yampa Valley as well as her travels and friendships in countries around the world. The photographs and photo illustrations in this exhibit were made in locations as far away as Morocco and as near as the local ranch land of the Yampa Valley.
 
Karen’s fine art images are in many private and corporate collections, including the Yampa Valley Medical Center and the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, PA. Through her business, Focus Adventures, she offers local and international photo workshops and tours.
 
For more information on these artists artist and the Steamboat Springs Arts Council please call 970-879-9008. The Steamboat Springs Arts Council is a 501 c (3) organization.