November 25-December 1, 2004

artpicks

Land of Plenty

art

"My philosophy is to paint in a way that the viewer feels an immediate connection with the work," says artist Kathleen Babb, "as in a feeling that they have been there before."

Creating this sense of familiarity for viewers is no uncommon aim for artists. But with each stroke of her brush, Babb hopes to set herself apart with her two-pronged approach to her work—an examination of emotional and natural landscapes.

A South Jersey native, Babb attended Boston College before winning a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship to further her growth at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux Arts in Lyon, France. After concentrating mainly on drawing in college, Babb's French rendezvous allowed her to dive headfirst into painting. "It was really my starting point," she says. "The colors and the mountains there knocked me off my feet."

Currently working in the landscape profession, Babb is deeply moved by the disappearing farm fields as a result of suburban development. Her sadness serves as a muse to capture the beauty of the fields. Art gallery and retailer Work In Progress will exhibit Babb's work throughout the month of December. Excited but nervous, she is ready to make her Philadelphia debut. "At first the city rejected my artwork because it's not reflective of what it wants," she says. "But I know that I have something to say."

Kathleen Babb, opening reception Wed., Dec.1, 6-9 p.m., free, Work In Progress, 1135 Pine St., 215-925-9675.

—Deesha Dyer