As 2020 gradually comes to a close, multimedia artist Kathy Badrak is using her latest exhibition to reflect on, and hopefully heal from, a turbulent year. Presented by the Lompoc Valley Art Association, Into the Light opened on Dec. 4 at the Cypress Gallery and is scheduled to remain on display through Dec. 27.
“Into the Light is the result of my journey to reclaim my hope and creativity,” said Badrak, who embraced some new techniques and art forms over the course of the pandemic, partly as a way to cope with anxiety.
Looking back at the first closures in March, Badrak recalled the frustration of observing those around her dismissing the crisis, she explained.
“I was surrounded by people who kept talking about getting back to ‘normal,’ but our normal has changed,” Badrak said. “For me, this time was really dark. I was scared to go to the grocery store. Many people just did not understand the new reality and were not wearing masks.”
Unable to shake her anxiety—among other stressors, including health issues affecting close family members—Badrak initially felt uninspired to create any new artworks over the spring. Her favorite gallery’s closure didn’t help either, she said.
“I couldn’t get myself to work in my studio. My inner critic kept telling me, ‘What’s the point?’” Badrak said. “My connections were gone. Gone was the Cypress Gallery, a wonderful place to get inspired each month by all the new work, our receptions where we could all gather and share our work with the community.”
Badrak’s journey to reclaim her creativity began when she spotted an advertisement on her Facebook feed for an online art journaling workshop. It was only $10 for a five-day series, so Badrak thought, “Why not?”
From there, Badrak continued to take subsequent workshops in other concentrations and found further inspiration from YouTube and other online resources.
“I took more classes, mostly through free videos,” said Badrak, who also began using Zoom regularly to connect with other artists and peers virtually without having to leave the house.
Badrak referred to this period of renewed encouragement as rediscovering her “art language” and “what makes me happy in my work,” she said.
Inspired to step back into her studio, Badrak was most excited to experiment with different textures and materials. While she’s probably best known locally for her functional and decorative gourd art, Badrak was already a big fan of embracing new art forms prior to the pandemic, she explained.
“For over 40 years, I’ve spent as much time as possible learning and experimenting with various forms of art,” Badrak said in an artist statement. “I love being a student; stretching myself to try new techniques and approaches.”
Alongside Badrak’s traditional gourd items, including sculptures, bowls, lamps, etc., a variety of her acrylic pour works are also on display in Cypress Gallery’s current exhibit. Into the Light also features one of Badrak’s newest multimedia pieces, which she ranks high among her personal favorites—a mask.
Inspired by mask art she saw online, Badrak constructed a mask of her own using paint and recycled materials, including paper and empty cereal boxes. Creating the mask was therapeutic in more ways than one, the artist explained.
“It was so much fun to make. It is probably one of my most favorite pieces that I have created,” Badrak said. “Its facial expression mirrored the way I was feeling.”
Badrak is thankful to be exhibiting at Cypress Gallery once again, which celebrated its reopening back in August—with COVID-19 safety protocols enacted, including reduced capacity limits. Into the Light marks the venue’s fifth onsite exhibit since its reopening date.
For now, Badrak will continue creating art as a way to deal with loss, change, and uncertainty, she said.
“I am making art daily now, creating new pieces, reworking old ones,” Badrak said.
“I am more at peace now,” she added. “But I do miss being able to hug.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood misses hugs too. Send comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 10-17, 2020.
