Asheville Gallery of Art’s May show, “Earthlight” will feature the work of Karen Keil Brown.

This will be the first solo artist’s show in AGA’s new gallery space at 82 Patton Avenue. Keil Brown, known for her ethereal sky and mountain landscapes, will present new work. “I’ve been influenced by my recent art workshops in New York City at the Art Students League. I’m painting in a more geometric style, almost cityscapes, and using blocks of colors suggestive of the buildings in the city,” she said.

In creating the new work, Keil Brown says of her process that she is using drips and color blocks to create a composition of fragmented contrasts. The new work retains her signature atmospheric approach to landscape, but takes on a more urban, edgier feel.

Of her work, Keil Brown says, “I like to free up my imagination to provide unexpected opportunities for a more creative process. I often use a dash of red within the painting to represent my internal passion for each piece.”

Originally from New Jersey, Karen was raised in Asheville, NC. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Asheville, with a degree in Fine Arts. Karen was an art teacher for 10 years before getting back to exhibiting her paintings and photographs through out the southeast. Her work is found in private and corporate collections across the United States. She and her husband, Buster, live in North Asheville.

If You Go: The public is cordially invited to a reception on Friday, May 6, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. “Earthlight” runs from May 1 through 31.

Karen’s work and that of the other 29 gallery members will be on display and for sale during regular hours, Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. The Asheville Gallery of Art is located at 82 Patton Avenue in downtown Asheville, across from Pritchard Park.