Opening Reception for Artist Starr Weems on March 2 at Central Library

Starr Weems is a dreamer.

And that’s OK because Weems creates watercolor works that blend reality with the fanciful world of dreams.

“(My) vibrant colors mingle and overlap, creating a magical feeling that reflects my thoughts on spirituality and the enjoyment of life,’’ says Weems, who uses transparent watercolor, poured in layers over masking fluid to build high contrast images that are bathed in light. One look and you’d think you were floating right along with the images.

Solstice by Starr Weems
An opening reception for Illuminations in Poured Color: Paintings by Starr Weems will be held on Sunday, March 2, 3:00-5:00 p.m., in the Fourth Floor Boardroom. There are 34 pieces in the exhibit. Most are for sale. The Athens resident will showcase her pieces February 27-April 11, 2014, in the Fourth Floor Gallery of the Central Library.

On Sunday, March 30, Weems will present a free class to show how she uses her unique “pouring’’ technique to achieve her dreamlike images. The class will be held 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the library’s Fourth Floor Boardroom. The workshop is for ages 14 and older. Seating is limited. Call 205-226-3670 to register.

Weems, who teaches art and Spanish to students at Ardmore High School in Limestone County, says some of her best painting ideas come from her two children, Kharma and Rio. “A lot of my paintings have to do with childhood and childhood themes,’’ she says. “Sometimes when I see them play, it reminds me of things that I did as a kid, and I incorporate them into my paintings. I have paintings of fireflies in jars, I have one of my little girl blowing bubbles and one of dandelions blowing away.’’

Don’t tell Weems it doesn’t pay to be a dreamer. “I just finished 80 illustrations for a dream expert. She will use them for a set of dream interpretation cards,’’ Weems says. “She said when she saw my work, they reminded her of dreams.’’

Weems says she’s always been interested in dreams and it comes out in her work. “If you don’t have that opportunity to let your mind wonder, you can’t come up with something new,’’ she says.

For more information about Weems, visit her website at www.starrweems.com.

Event Details:
Starr Weems exhibit, February 27-April 11, during library hours, Fourth Floor Gallery, Central Library

Opening reception, Sunday, March 2, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Fourth Floor Boardroom, Central Library

Free Starr Weems watercolor workshop, Sunday, March 30, 2:30-5:30 p.m., second floor Story Castle, Birmingham Public Library. Call 205-226-3670 to reserve a spot.

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