Same Dark Places Painting

(canvas scrap tacked on to hand made wood box) There Is Light After Dark By Kristie L. Smith Nikitin, freelance writer and art enthusiast An unlikely pair, Same Dark Places and With These Eyes are companion pieces by Kris Gebhardt. Places is the dark to Eyes’ light: the “coping” to the “living” and the reality to the dream. Same Dark Places is just that…DARK! It’s rough and has seen better days. The ragged and stapled together canvas affixed to wood board is beleaguered at best. The figure has mask in hand and is ready to pretend all is right with the world, while knowing he is headed back to that same dark place he goes everyday. Whether really heading to a bereft physical space, overwhelming feelings of sadness, or visiting a scary place in his mind, the darkness is winning. Everything will be fine once the mask is securely in place. Pretend to like job, coworkers, spouse, family, life. This painting effectively draws the audience in and drags them to the darkness of doing what is expected over what is longed for because it’s seemingly easier and better for everyone else. By contrast, With These Eyes, is light, airy and full of hope. The character’s shoulder’s are back, eyes are wide open, even though they know there are hidden dangers. This figure is ready to take the leap into the great unknown, if it means they are doing their own thing. The canvas has seen better days but that just speaks to the fact there is a history here. Life has not always been this bright — as evidenced as the one dark leg. There may be some days where it would be a struggle to maintain the new normal, but by and large, the new normal is light. On Exhibit: SPECTRUM Miami - December 6 - 10 2017 - Gebhardt Gallery Booth #614 ArtExpo Las Vegas - January 27 - 31 2018 - Gebhardt Gallery Booth #314/318 ArtExpo New York - April - 2018 “Our art is not for everyone,” said artist Kris Gebhardt, who has created a large collection with wife and business partner Angela Gebhardt. Their art is very physical in stature. “Most pieces feature strength and beauty, but it’s not sugar-coated; it’s knocked around a bit just like life. We paint a lot of reality on our canvases. Even in its roughest form, you can still see the integration of strength and beauty.” Kris, a published author, fitness expert and artist, laments that his work has changed over the years. Art is now his outlet for promoting whole body awareness. “It’s more subliminal than my books; people will leave our exhibits definitely thinking about their bodies.” Angela’s contemporary abstracts are inspired by water while her sketch and figure paintings, monumental in scope and scale, integrate bold and surreal messages woven within each piece. The couple’s artistic efforts and passion for the human form always bring a BIG presence to private events, exhibits and Miami and New York art shows. Kris began his artistic journey while touring galleries in Europe with singer-songwriter (and accomplished painter) John Mellencamp in the mid-90s. Angela began painting in her youth, but lost contact with her brush to build a business. The brush continued to call her, and after selling her business, she gave in fully to her artistic endeavors. Angela is also “the muse” for hundreds of Kris’ photographs that have been published all over the world. In fact, it was a figure photograph of Angela that caught the attention and inspired the iPhone App FOTOMUSE.