In-Town Gallery will feature pulp paintings by Traci Paden throughout this month. The public is invited to view these brightly colored, heavily textured works at In-Town's First Friday reception on March 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 26-A Frazier Ave.
Paden is widely known for her dyed silk scarves and jackets, which are now shown in several states.
"A few years ago, I got the itch for a new creative challenge. I found the answer when I first saw the artwork of Chery Cratty," Paden says.
"I began my journey with pulp painting when I received a master/apprentice grant from Tennessee Craft to study with the woman who developed this particular method of painting with pulp. Chery Cratty and I worked together for six months, over 300 hours of study. During this time, I was able to create my own style and vision of the pulp-painting method that she developed 15 years ago. Three years later, I feel that I have a body of work that I would like to share."
Pulp paint is a little known, water-based, environmentally friendly medium that is made from cooked plants. The fillers and impurities are washed away leaving pure cellulose, which forms the binder for pigments.
Paden's canvas is prepared by spraying black cotton pulp to create a rough, textured base. Beginning with a photograph for inspiration, she uses colored pencils to change the photo until reaching a composition she likes. She then draws a sketch on the prepared canvas and begins to layer pulp with a palette knife.
Usually there is a buildup of seven to 10 layers before beginning the detail work, which is drawn with a porcupine quill. The finished result is a textured, realistic image in an Impressionistic style.
Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information: 423-267-9214 or www.intowngallery.com.