“Circus Colors” by Meredith Hayden, Alcohol Ink with air duster on Ceramic Tile, 12x218in, 2018, $350
Color is a potent visceral expression of emotion in the work of Meredith Leigh Hayden. Ideas are communicated through the dynamic of specific mediums as much choice in subject matter, materials leading the artist as much as the artist leads the materials.
“Creating art has become an essential practice for refreshing my senses so I can enjoy being present,” she explains. “When I see something noteworthy I try to snatch it up and describe it with color. Art transforms the chaos of life into something tangible I can work with. It gives me a chance to breathe.”
“My favorite memories become crystallized on the surface with the medium I choose at the time. Currently, I use inks, chalk pastels, or crystals. I am usually seen wearing a crystal I wrapped. As much as I would like to feel I’m “in control”, there is no real way to control the bold Alcohol Ink. I did find I can move the ink with an air duster. The results amaze and delight me every time. My pastel flower series celebrates the impermanence of life and our universal connection to nature and each other. As flowers grow and change, they reveal their unique imperfections and lively character traits, just as humans do.“
“By showing the Alcohol Ink tiles and Chalk Pastel flowers together, I hope to provide a sense of hope and renewal for Spring through color. The rigidity of the tiles is a contrast to the flowing chalk pastel flowers. The wandering inks are carefree and mobile like the growth cycle of florals. The Chalk Pastels are a delicate and subtle contrast with the bright penetrating color of the ink. In any medium, daring color is the common thread to all my work. I choose to celebrate life’s majesty with the delicate and vibrant colors I choose.”
“Mystic Branches” by Meredith Hayden, Chalk Pastel and water on sanded paper, 30x24in, 2014, $750
Meredith Hayden will be participating in the 2018 Open Studio Weekend, sponsored by Louisville Visual Art and University of Louisville’s Hite Art Institute. Her studio, located in Art Sanctuary in the Germantown neighborhood, will be open the weekend of November 3 and 4. Tickets for Open Studio Weekend will go on sale October 16. Click here for more information.
On the the first Saturday of December, during Bardstown Road Aglow, Hayden will be showing at Safai Coffee, 1707 Barstown Road.
Hometown: Newtown, Pennsylvania
Education: University of Louisville Liberal Studies major, minor in Psychology, and concentrations in Art, Theater, and Women's Studies. Some art study in Italy
Website: mhayden.artspan.com
Instagram: meresmuse
Meredith Hayden working on “Red-Lipped Secrets”, Chalk Pastel, 24x30in. 2011, $750
“Enchanted Vibration” by Meredith Hayden, Alcohol Inks on Tile, Ink applied with a can of air. 12x20in, 2018, $250
“Wandering Eye of Contentment” by Meredith Hayden, Alcohol Inks on Tile, Ink applied with a can of air, 16x20in, 2018, $200
“Fiery” by Meredith Hayden, Chalk Pastel, 24x30in, 2007, Private collection
Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2018 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved. In addition to his work at the LVA, Keith is also the Managing Editor of a website, Arts-Louisville.com, which covers local visual arts, theatre, and music in Louisville.
