Artist Stacey Kamp exhibits paintings at Marin Coffee Roasters sponsored by the San Anselmo Arts Commission

Born and raised in the bay area, Stacey Kamp has always been immersed in the arts. Her artist grandmother Eva Kamp, predominantly a potter, imparted her skills in painting, photography, and pottery, encouraging all creative endeavors. Upon her passing in 1982, Stacey was inspired to carry on her very special artistic legacy, and continues to do so through her expressive oil paintings using only a palette knife and rags to manifest her imagination onto the canvas.

Kamp discovered at a young age that she wanted to be an artist and took art classes throughout high school, as well as at Dominican University, but she never really felt that becoming an artist was truly possible. Instead, she obtained a master’s degree in psychology. While in college, she started The Art Studio Program at the MIYO Teen Center in San Rafael, becoming the art director, and producing creative activities for at-risk youth. Stacey currently holds the position of events manager of the Log Cabin in San Anselmo, and recently took her artistic hobby to the professional level. In addition to producing vibrant oil paintings, she also oversees Local Art Productions, an organization founded by Kamp that facilitates locally based pop-up art shows, where artists can sell their work to the community at reasonable prices.

Stacey chooses to paint with oils because she loves the texture and saturation of oil paints. Over time she has developed her individual style based on her choices of ‘paint pushers’. Kamp comments. “Sometimes I see the whole painting in my head first, and I go through the steps to bring it out. But most of the time I lay down a base layer with rags then put the canvas on my living room wall.  I stare at it for a while until I see my next step. And the same goes for each step after that until I decide I've done enough. Painting with oils I have to do a layer then wait a few days for it to dry until I can add more. This gives me time to contemplate my next move.”

Inspired by photographer Cindy Sherman, Stacey has embraced the concept of altering techniques but not theme. Her current theme is Birch trees, broken up in to polyptych panels of various sizes. Stacey comments. “I chose the theme of Birch trees based on being fascinated by the bark. I had a Birch tree in my yard as a kid and remember pulling back the translucent skin of the bark as it shed off. As an adult I loved the fact that birch trees grow in groups, although at my house there was only one.” More of Stacey’s work can be viewed at http://staceykamp.com/

Marin Coffee Roasters is located at 546 San Anselmo Ave- San Anselmo, CA. 94960

The show runs through December 7th

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About San Anselmo Arts Commission

The goal of the Commission is to add to the cultural character of Ross Valley through any form of artistic expression. Our objectives include providing a structure to facilitate the creation of art in all disciplines in the community, promoting and exhibiting art and cultural works produced by Ross Valley artists, and promoting art education in the community.

For more information go to www.sananselmoarts.com