Gallery at City Springs - Kathy Rennell Forbes

This exhibit features the work of local artist Kathy Rennell Forbes. This exhibit is her "Unexpected Beauty" project, a visual exploration of reused materials to create mixed media paintings that elevate discarded materials into works of striking beauty and thoughtful commentary.

Kathy Rennell Forbes’ contribution stems from a desire to give new life to her previous watercolor paintings. Encouraged by her studio mate, Cathy Ehrler and inspired by a visit to the Georgia Tech Paper Museum, she began shredding her old paintings to make handmade paper. These organic, repurposed materials are mounted on reclaimed panels and canvases, then reimagined into landscapes and florals. Additional hand-colored paper and found objects from her studio are layered into the work, resulting in richly textured compositions that echo the natural world and the cyclical nature of creation.

From the artist: 

I work in watercolor, acrylic, and oil, though watercolor is my first love. It allows me the freedom to respond intuitively to surfaces and brushstrokes, and its portability enables me to paint wherever I go—from international travels to local gardens and parks.

Painting outdoors awakens my senses. I try to capture not just the visuals of a place, but the sound of birds, the feel of a breeze, the scent of the air, and even the taste of local foods. While many plein air pieces stand alone, others become studies for larger studio works.

In recent years, pieces that fall short of my intentions have found new purpose. With Cathy Ehrler’s encouragement, I began shredding old watercolors and using the pulp to create new paper. These organic, irregular surfaces provide a fresh foundation for new floral and landscape compositions. I adhere them to reclaimed supports, add additional paper scraps and found materials, and then begin painting anew.

Very little goes to waste in my studio—each element becomes a piece of a larger story of transformation.

You can meet the artist and learn more at a reception on Wednesday, October 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the Gallery at City Springs in the lobby of City Hall.