Delicate Expressions

Karen Tucker Kuykendall explores the formal intricacies of Florida’s native plant life with a sensibility that is both scientifically precise and playfully irreverent. Close-up views of leaves and flowers serve as stages for unexpected intrusions, while collaged elements are seamlessly woven into naturalistic forms. Whether it’s the deep blue eyes of a Siamese cat or a spontaneously doodled cartoon hiding among the leaves, every detail and effect of light is rendered with meticulous care. Grounded in close observation and shaped by the artist’s deep-rooted connection to Florida’s landscape, Kuykendall’s work sets photorealistic illusion against overtly handmade and collaged elements, blurring the line between studied realism and imaginative invention. 

In addition to Kuykendall’s paintings, the exhibition includes jewelry artists selected through an open call. These artists explore the idea of “Delicate Expressions” through intricate craft, careful observation, and unexpected details, qualities that resonate with Kuykendall’s approach to painting. The jewelry pieces in this show reflect a shared interest in intimacy, close looking, and the interplay between natural beauty and personal meaning. Each work invites viewers to consider adornment not only as decoration, but as a form of storytelling and quiet complexity. 

Important Dates:

September 11: Opening Reception 
Oct. 16: Awards Announced
November 6,7,8 : Art in Bloom Event