Now through May, 2025 | First Floor Gallery, Miller Nichols Library
“Playing with Color!” by UMKC student Stephen Werner is a collection of mixed-media paintings using acrylics, watercolor, ink, and pastels. Stephen is a graduate student in economics.
Statement from the Artist
My paintings are non-representational art, which means they do not depict anything or have any meaning. I just play with color using acrylics, water colors, ink, and pastels to create paintings. Then I give each painting a catchy title.
My creative process is just to relax and let the mind come up with ideas. For me that means coming up with ideas on how to use different color media. I intentionally try to not think, but to act spontaneously. I view my art as playing with color. I pay little attention to color theory and just pick colors that look interesting. I do not work very hard at my art. And I enjoy doing it, since being creative is often a pleasurable experience.
I would like viewers to look at my paintings and enjoy the different effects I create with color. I also hope they enjoy the clever titles. I hope to inspire some viewers to explore their own creativity. It is easy and fun. You just have to trust your mind and let it go where it wants to go.
I would like more people to see my art. Most of my art is hidden in lonely stacks aching to be viewed by someone. And perhaps someone might take one home and put it on a wall where it can be seen regularly.
This exhibit is part of the UMKC Libraries Student Art Exhibits Program, dedicating gallery space in our libraries to share the creative and intellectual work of our students. Complete the Student Art Exhibits online application to be considered for exhibition.
