Figures in Oil Paint: Kaylee Huerta

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Author: Heather Eck (OVAC Intern)

Kaylee Huerta, Seated on Armrest, 2011, Oil on canvas, 34” x 40”

Tulsa Artist Kaylee Huerta paints what she knows: the humanfigure. The human figure supplies organic shapes and structures in the simplestforms. Huerta manages to capture these simple, organic forms into paintings. Seated on Armrest, Huerta’s Concept/OK exhibition piece is one ofthese paintings. A male figure is seated on the armrest of a green chair.Background details are painted in a way as to not distract the viewer from thefocal point of the work in its entirety: the figure.      


Q: Whatobject, place, or event inspired you to create your Concept/OK piece, Seated on Armrest?KH: Seated on Armrest was aspontaneous departure from my early work that came after years of working fromlife with my friend and model Larry Sorrels. We were moving things around inhis apartment looking for new and interesting poses/compositions. He sat on thearmrest of the chair and I enjoyed so many things about the setup. Forinstance, the way the figure was dark and moody, the dark mass from the doorand chair surrounding the figure, the conversation between the chair andfigure. Then in the very different way I approached the application, thispainting set off a long investigation into all of these ideas and then manymore.
Q: Is thehuman body the most important subject you work with? If so, why?KH: Though I have many interests in my work, the figure is aconstant interest in my work. I find the human figure beautiful for its organicform, intelligent geometry, and luminous skin. I enjoy working with proportionand light. It's fascinating how specific an unassuming part of the body can be.
Q: How do youcome up with your compositions? Are they based off of photos or are theyrepresentations of compositions you imagine? KH: My compositions feed off of the live environment and model,and in response to the painting itself. The compositions gradually growthroughout the painting process.
Q: Do youprimarily work with paint or do you work with other mediums?KH: I primarily work with oil paints and pencil on paper.

The Concept/OK: Art in Oklahoma exhibition welcomes to the public through February 16, 2013  at the new Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council’s Hardesty Arts Center. Admission is free of charge. See www.concept-ok.org for more information.