New exhibit opens at Phillips Gallery featuring Thompson Falls artist

A new exhibit titled Looking Up, by Thompson Falls artist Karrie Baldwin, opens at Phillips Gallery May 2. 

The public is invited to meet Baldwin and discuss her work at an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. An informal artist talk will be held at 5:30 p.m. 

Baldwin said she draws inspiration from her surroundings to paint the beauty and diversity of the amazing landscape, striving to capture the color of the sunset, reflections on the water and the feeling of standing in the light, absorbing its warmth and color. She said the painting process creates a connection to the memory of that place. 

“The idea of Looking Up has many meanings: inspiration, hope, potential for change and new beginnings. It is not only looking up to the sky but looking at the beauty of all nature and noticing the magnitude of all that is visible and the presence of something greater, then, becoming grateful,” Baldwin said. 

“Looking up, stand in the present moment; sense the awareness of something more; sense understanding we are all under the same sky. Look up. Be,” Baldwin said. 

Baldwin received a Bachelor of Fine Art in painting and drawing from the University of Utah. She grew up in the West and has always been attracted to the beauty of her surroundings and is deeply connected to the landscape. Her impressionist oil paintings focus on light, contrast and color. 

Phillips Gallery is located inside the Kalispell Center Mall, 20 N. Main St. in Kalispell.