Hamilton artist’s latest exhibit, Lines of Geometry, featured at Cawdrey Gallery

Lines of Geometry, an exhibit of Pamela Caughey’s latest abstract expressionist paintings are on display at Cawdrey Gallery through June 30. 

The public is invited to attend a free opening reception during the Whitefish Gallery Nights Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 6. Light refreshments will be served. 

For more than 30 years, the Hamilton-based artist has explored many genres from photorealism to non-objective art. Caughey’s current body of work is inspired by mark-making, innovative shapes and color. There may be connections to nature in the work, but it is non-representational and expressionistic.  

“I seek a sense of mystery that satisfies my own innate design aesthetic,” Caughey said in a press release. “I myself need to be surprised, mystified and able to see new things I didn't see before in my art. My hope is that others will see that as well.”

Her sketchbook is filled with color swatches and small paintings fill her studio that explore the possibilities, depth, and breadth of color mixtures — their tints, tones, and shades as well as the gradation of each color. 

Caughey is inspired by the unique properties of the materials she uses. At the center of the exhibit is “Oceana,” a 6-foot by 4-foot encaustic painting on a wood panel. This statement piece blends shades of blue in the background with an overlay of geometric shapes, lines, and other marks. Made from hot wax, encaustic paint has many features that are not seen in oil paint. Layers can be smoothed out or scraped away to form texture and the wax’s translucency can create a sense of depth and dimension. 

“Whether a design element is exploited, omitted, or present somewhere in between, the interaction of color, line, shape and texture in my compositions is where my curiosity and discovery continue to lead me. I have more questions than answers and prefer it this way. The question, ‘What if?’ is the most important thing I ask in my studio on any given day,” she said. 

Raised in Wisconsin, Caughey graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in biochemistry. After moving to Hamilton in 1986, she began a serious study of fine arts by earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Montana School of Art. Her background in science adds a rare layer of sophistication to her artwork. Some of Caughey's originals are in the permanent collection of several museums including Missoula Art Museum, Holter Museum of Art and Nicolaysen Museum of Art. Her work is displayed in public buildings located nationally and internationally.  

Caughey is also an art educator and runs an online art school  ArtandSuccess.com, with six painting courses and two membership groups. 

    The work of Hamilton-based artist Pamela Caughey is on display through June 30 at Cawdrey Gallery in Whitefish.