Alison Hamil, Blue Heron Nature Preserve’s Artist-in-Residence, Announces New Art Exhibit
***Guest Blog: Miranda Swaim, Communications Director – Blue Heron Nature Preserve***
Crown Chakra, 18×18 inches – Watercolor, ink, digital media on paper panel
Alison Hamil, Blue Heron Artist-in-Residence, is preparing for her latest solo exhibit, Between, at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Buckhead scheduled from September 12 through December 7.
Hamil is bringing art to the public even during the COVID-19 pandemic via single-household viewings made by appointment: bhnp.org/indoor-gallery
In the exhibition ‘Between’, Alison Hamil challenges traditional methods of watercolor painting with her use of digital media and a large format inkjet printer. She creates large symmetrical pieces with brightly colored mandala-like designs combined with the organic flowing shapes of watercolor. The paintings are an exploration of the 7 chakras, a spiritual concept that has its roots in ancient Eastern spiritual philosophies.
Like most artists, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on Hamil’s work. “This is not what I initially wanted to do,” she said when asked about the art exhibition. “Because the show is located at a nature preserve, I had originally planned to focus on paintings detailing mushrooms, fungi, and mushroom mycelium.”
The pandemic caused Hamil to reevaluate the work and choose a theme for the show that would be better for virtual viewing since she would be unable to have an in-person opening reception.
About Alison Hamil:
Alison Hamil’s creative spark began at an early age. As a child, she was constantly building, sculpting, making, and creating. She fondly remembers doing imaginative things like constructing a robot entirely out of recycled materials on a whim, and holding an art show at a pop-up gallery in her parents’ garage. Throughout her childhood, she won several art contests, and decided to be a cartoonist in fourth grade. That didn’t quite pan out, but she wasn’t far off.
Currently, Alison works as an interdisciplinary artist based out of her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. She has a diverse body of work including murals, graphic design, and paintings in watercolor and acrylic. Most of her work incorporates bold colors, graphic patterns, and symmetry, combined with elements of painterly realism. Nature is a common theme in her work, as well as interconnectivity and spirituality. Learn more at alisonhamil.com
About Blue Heron Nature Preserve: Blue Heron is a 30-acre Nature Preserve in the urban environment of Atlanta and is home to the 3-mile Blueway Trail. Learn more at bhnp.org
