Artist-in-Resident Michael Knutson, from May 15th to May 30th, blends reworking past creations with creating new frontiers in his paintings.
During his residency, Knutson intends to breathe new life into his “Unfinished Objects” (UFOs), pushing the boundaries of abstraction within figurative and landscape paintings. Amidst the hustle and bustle of creation, Knutson remains steadfast in his pursuit of self-discovery and growth as an artist, challenging his own self-criticism “I want to take this opportunity to look at those (old or unfinished) paintings straight on and make some drastic decisions.”
Visitors to the Red Barn Studio Museum during Knutson’s residency can expect to find him listening to the tunes of national public radio or the soulful melodies of bluegrass while hopping from painting to painting wherever creativity sparks. Knutson’s paintings, which he plans to rework, span the last 15 years and offer an array of subjects, ranging from dark, mysterious nocturnes to surreal figurative pieces and modest landscapes, each emanating its own aura.