Kristin Goering

Kristin Goering of Fairway, Kan., was inspired to pursue art from a young age. She received her Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in printmaking from Bethel College in 1992. Her early career was spent as a freelance artist and illustrator with the Mennonite Press and Hearth Publishing in Newton, Kan. Her stylized brushstrokes and an intensified palette move beyond simple representationalism, conveying an inherent energy that extends the viewer’s concept of the natural world.

The following statement appears on Goering’s website:

“I grew up in a small Kansas town surrounded by miles and miles of farmland. My interaction with these vast and sparsely populated landscapes created a connection that is emotional as well as conceptual. My paintings are often a visual representation of that life-long connection with the land and the natural forces that shape it.”

Her current work emphasizes layers of rich color and texture, both of which are exemplified by Goering’s two paintings that will auctioned at Art Mingle. Notice the purple and blues that dot the landscape in “Mayfield Cottonwood,” her live auction submission pictured at right.

“I love color and use exaggerated color to enhance the ‘natural’ color in a painting,” she explained. “To me, it energizes the piece and adds vibrancy. I often see purples and blues in shadows, and I love the richness it can add to a painting.”

Goering said her paintings rarely start in the studio. Rather, she scouts and gathers her subjects and return them to the studio as sketches, photographs, and memories, using her work to recreate the impressions she had while viewing them. Such was the case with the “Mayfield Cottonwood” and her contribution to the silent auction, “September Afternoon.”

“Both paintings were initially inspired by a photo shoot with my dad in Colorado” she recalled. “We headed down the mountain one morning from my mom and dad’s cabin to take pictures of land around the Arkansas River valley, where there’s lots of ranch/farm land with beautiful views. ‘September Afternoon’ is basically straight from those images -- with some added color! ‘Mayfield Cottonwood’ started with a tree from this collection of images but ended up being woven with memories of a solitary cottonwood on a farm from my childhood.”

In addition to SNW Gallery in Manhattan, Goering’s work can be found at a gallery in Topeka and one in Kansas City, Mo. Since 2009, her paintings have been displayed in Kansas and in Kansas City galleries at numerous select group, solo, and featured exhibitions as well as at regional museums.

Goering’s paintings have been added to collections at American Royal, Arrowhead Stadium (home of the Kansas City Chiefs), and the University of Kansas School of Medicine, to name a few. In Manhattan, her work can be found at Kansas State University’s Office of the President and at K-State’s Alumni Center. At Meadowlark, “Summer Moon” by Goering hangs near the Manhattan Room at Prairie Star Restaurant, and “Electric Skies” hangs on 4th floor near the west elevators.

Goering said she is honored to be considered as a featured artist. She shared that she has a family connection to Meadowlark and that the fundraising goal of Art Mingle – supporting Meadowlark Memory Program – resonates with her.

“I think quality care later in life is so very important. My husband’s grandfather did some rehabilitation at Meadowlark and also lived in the assisted living area for a while,” she said. “I know he was always so happy with the people that cared for him. He felt very well taken care of and those individuals often made his day.

“Also, my husband’s father has started to have memory issues, and I’ve witnessed how hard it’s been for many reasons. Anything that can be done to help is, again, so important!”

Nancy Teague

Nancy Teague graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s in education, then subsequently taught three years in the Lincoln public schools before beginning her art career that has spanned four decades. Her early work was realistic and captured the transforming effects of natural light on old or discarded objects.

In 2013, Teague made a huge shift to Abstract Expressionism, precipitated by internal spiritual dynamics bringing joy and freedom that could not but spill over onto her canvas. According to her bio found at nancyteague.com, the shift was challenging, but exciting in newfound freedom to play, risk, learn, and explore.

“Growing in abstract expressionism brings challenge and delight,” she wrote. “What a call to risk, succeed, and fail! Fun delights are when I discover surprise happenings in the painting. They cause me to smile and marvel. I hope when you really look at my work, they make you happy and that you might even find surprises!”

Teague’s energetic strokes, colorful palette, spontaneity, playfulness, and contemplative ways bring depth and excitement to her work. Her paintings have been selected for national competitions, and they are found in corporate and private collections in the U.S., including Kansas State University’s College of Business. At Meadowlark’s event venue, see “Exit to Adventure” near the Bison Room.

Teague said she doesn’t have the finish in mind when she starts a painting.

“When I begin a painting, a general palette is in mind, but often as the painting unfolds other colors enter in. My desire is to be in a place of spontaneity and openness to surprises. As the washes, strokes, marks, shapes, removals happen on the canvas, I experience a sense of excitement, or sometimes ask myself ‘Where is this going?’

“Colors can be mixed on my paint tray or mixed directly on the painting. Layers get built up, things peek through, lines move in and out,” she added. “As the painting is nearing completion, there will be intentional marks, shapes, or direction of movement that help strengthen the composition. Having fun is the foundation of my expressions.”

She said when painting “Nothin’ Like Friends,” her submission to the live auction, shown at left, there was a clear flow of energy in interaction and fun.

“I was surprised at and enjoyed the happy dynamics unfolding. After completion, the title popped into my head. Truly, friends bring such delight and depth to our lives.”

The bright colors she swishes and dabs onto her canvases are prompted by an encounter with internal joy that’s connected to true identity. “Lively movements and colorful connecting are certainly part of being in this beautiful world,” she said.

Teague said she is honored to have been selected as an Art Mingle featured artist, and she shares Goering’s interest in supporting Meadowlark Memory Program.

“Participating is particularly meaningful to me given my paternal grandmother and dad had dementia. To think I could help contribute in a creative way with Meadowlark’s care for those with Alzheimer’s is personally poignant,” she said. “I know my dad and grandma would be excited for me, from above!”