Housatonic — Artist Deb Koffman creates art that encourages well-being; her goal is to help individuals navigate their emotional and mental lives more easily. Koffman’s space is deliberate and fun; it is a space in which she practices making art, practices being mindful, and practices paying attention. A collection of her recent work, Pop-Up Paper Doodles, is currently on display at The Little Gallery located at 137 Front Street in Housatonic.
Koffman’s Pop-Up Paper Doodles are small scale, intimate, colored pencil and micron pen doodles, cut with an x-acto blade so different parts pop-up; her material of choice – cardboard — is favored for it being easy, cheap, fast, free and raw. The results are “sweet, intricate, interesting and contemplative,” according to the artist. Koffman goes on to say, “Each one is unique, just like the others,” which presents an inherent paradox: while Koffman’s characteristic bold lines — predominantly black, white and red — are unmistakeable, she continues to generate work that is both aesthetically pleasing and thought-provoking.
Koffman espouses a central philosophy that makes her tick: emotions, people, experiences and projects all need digestion. Of Koffman’s current show, Susie Kaufman reflects: “Your doodles…seem revolutionary to me…free of explanation, popping out all over the place, more like dance and sculpture than drawing. They are so high energy and….[convey] the life force you generate that predates language.”
Pop-Up Paper Doodles will be on display through June 1 in Deb Koffman’s Artspace which is open by chance or appointment; an opening reception will be held on Friday, May 4th from 4-7 p.m.. For more information, and to join Deb’s mailing list, visit www.debkoffman.com.
