Heights Artist Returns From Malaysia Inspired

The first Houston showing of new watercolor paintings by Dutch-American artist Kim Kaiser since 2008 will take place at the First Saturday Arts Market on Saturday evening June 4. Alongside numerous talented local artists Kaiser will display 14 works on paper, created in and inspired by the Southeast Asian country, Malaysia.

 

In mid April, Kaiser and her husband returned to Houston after three years of living and working in the multi-cultural and frantic city of Kuala Lumpur. Unlike many sprawling cities, Kuala Lumpur has maintained a lot of its natural beauty. While strolling through its parks or neighborhoods, it is common to see exotic birds, monkeys and a vast array of tropical flora.

 

The beautiful surroundings inspired Kaiser to create a series of watercolor paintings called “Urban Blossom”. The series focuses on various species of flora commonly found hidden amongst the chaos of the city. The pieces endeavor to strip away the “noise” surrounding the subjects, to see the simple beauty and originality of each species.

 

“I’m very interested in the patterns one sees in nature because to me it represents order and balance in a world where it’s so easy to dwell on chaos.” Kaiser says. “Life is actually…rather simple.”

 

The show was on display at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts centre last April, and is now available to see in Houston at the First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights, June 4th.

 

Kaiser is a full-time artist/designer with her first baby on the way. She is excited to share her work inspired by her life in Malaysia, and looks forward to the inspiration she will experience from Houston’s own diverse culture and rapid pace.  Kaiser and her husband David reside in Garden Oaks, just north of the Houston Heights.

 

“Kim’s work is completely different from what I remember her showing with us a few years ago. The refreshing lines and colorful images match the stories she told in her blog while in Malaysia. It’s really exciting to have artists come back from traveling with new work!”

 

First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights just marked its seven year milestone, and begins its fifth year of opening at night only (from 6 pm to 10 pm) for the summer on Saturday, June 4.

 

Houston’s only monthly outdoor art and fine craft show is a staple of the Heights art scene. Nearly every art medium is represented, including artist-designed clothing; cards and stationary; oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings; international photography; and jewelry of unparalleled quality. Artists working in glass, ceramic, paper, metal and wood can be found at the market this summer, many traveling from Austin, North Texas, and even Memphis and New Orleans.

 

Located on the Wind Water Gallery parking lot at 548 West 19th Street at Lawrence Street, the market is open year ’round on the first Saturday of each month.  To stay out of the heat of the day, the market switches to evenings for the June, July and August show from 6 to 10 p.m. This year the September show will return to daytime but remain open till 8 p.m.  Admission and nearby parking are free.

 

For more information and a complete roster of participating artists, visit the market’s website, www.FirstSaturdayArtsMarket.com, or call the market hotline at 713-802-1213.