Jane Ehrlich

November 4 - November 30, 2020

Jane Ehrlich lives and works in Hudson, New York.  She has been developing a new body of work for the last several years which she describes as a series of non-referential light-filled paintings.  

“lightshifts” is a collection of “...paintings composed of straight, white, zig zag, and curvilinear layers of transparencies that interact with the ground color.  At times the paint is loose and fluid creating tonal variations as well as a thick opaque impasto.  The layering creates a strong presence of light with monochromatic variations that suggest an active and atmospheric environment.   At times figure ground dichotomies that present themselves as a single shape dominate the painting.”

These works have allowed her to play with color, light and gesture that evolve from a single color.  By mixing phosphorescent pigments with her acrylics Ehrlich gives us the opportunity to see these works on canvas transform.   A painting can be viewed under normal light, but when it is exposed to UV-A light a new spectrum of colors is exposed, presenting us with an alternate and enhanced work.  This 'second state' was something Ehrlich discovered as the series developed and her experimentation continued.  

When asked about the work, Jane says, “Most often the layering is integrated into the ground color even when there is a defined shape.  As the series continues, the gestures become more simplified, more minimal, the way I like to live."  When reflecting on her overall approach, Ehrlich says “I search for a space within my paintings that I can coexist with.  I want to be in my space and let the painting live in its own space.  I don’t want to be overwhelmed.  I want to look at the painting and let it evolve, and slowly discover it’s nuances.  I wake often in the morning and have a sense of “I need ORANGE.”  It is not only orange but a specific orange that I see and feel — It is a need not a want, almost like food.  I let my mind and body tell me what I need.  When that becomes clear, I enter my studio.”