I favor minimalism in its purest form. I am a colorist. The physical act and process of painting captivates me. I am particularly interested in making work which creates a visual dialog between itself and the viewer. Through playing with depth, scale, color, and texture the viewers' eye moves back and forth from one space to another. I aim for each viewer to have an emotive response to my work, drawing on their own feelings, experiences, and perspectives. Through exposing the timelessness of a waterscape and a sense of emotion I define my own place.
I was born in Bronx, New York. A few years later I moved to a touristy beach town in southern central New Jersey and lived there for most of my childhood. It is there that I have my most fond memories. My house was located only 2 blocks away from the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean being as expansive as it is was a huge part of my life. The smell of salt water, feeling the grits of sand between my teeth, and hearing the constant sound of waves are still in my mind and fill my senses even though I have not spent any real time there since I was a kid. Now, years later, I live near another body of water, which although not as large, still occupies and inspires me. Looking at Lake Champlain every day brings me to the same place in my mind that I felt as a child. It creates the notion of open space, which for me is so fascinating.
All of my life, I have loved being an artist. From the time I can remember, I have been fascinated with how to represent things around me in different ways. When it came time to go to college, I began to realize that Graphic Design would be the most marketable way to pursue my love of art. For my first three years in college I went through the process of learning design skills and basically how to make "art" on the computer. But it did not inspire me. I was not moved to make art in that medium. For me art was about creating, about having my hands in it literally, and feeling every part of the process. So on the advice of a notable professor at MassArt, I decided to follow what I loved best and changed my major to painting. While pursuing my degree in Boston, I wanted to engulf my self in nature and see open space. I would visit rural landscapes on my drives throughout New England and was especially drawn to and fascinated by Vermont. My schedule did not allow me to spend extended time, so I would gather visual information on site. Working from memory, I then would return to my studio/ apartment and begin my painting process.
The work I am currently making has been influenced by my time living in Vermont. I have focused exclusively on Lake Champlain and the way the light plays itself out from sky to water at different times of day, through different seasons, and at different atmospheric temperatures. I have painted the weather in these paintings, like I have in my previous work. I have also continued using the same vantage point since I find it to be a rewarding study to use only one focal point. It has enabled me to compare and contrast the lakes atmosphere and environment in fascinating ways. I have particularly loved breaking down the lake to sunrise and sunset. Afternoon light also has many subtle surprises that intrigue me.
Since 2005, I have made a couple trips back to my neighborhood in New Jersey and spent time studying the ocean and filling my senses. It has been incredibly inspiring.
Kasy Prendergast 2007
Kasy Prendergast is an artist in Burlington, VT. Her current work is inspired by Lake Champlain through the seasons.
