The title of the show, Approaches to Abstraction, describes the variety of the pieces in Dave Voelpel’s show. The media of the pieces range from acrylics, oil, watercolor, collage, and mixed media. These seemingly diverse pieces are tied together through layers and the theme of landscapes. 
In the piece to the left (Voelpel has not titled any of the pieces in this show), there are at least three abstract landscapes combined into one painting. The horizontal layers contain the possibility of multiple landscapes stacked vertically within the picture plane. There are also translucent layers that add depth to the images. These physical, tactile, textural layers are complemented by layers that are constructed for composition or to provoke thought.
Most of Voepel’s paintings are spontaneous and en plein air (painted outdoors). Instead of carefully composing before he paints, he chooses items for his collages out of a bag. “Every piece is new, fresh, and original,” says Voelpel, when discussing his process. When he is working on an acrylic abstract painting, he uses both, additive and subtractive approaches. He treats the paint in a variety of ways with the result that it emulates watercolor, glaze, and sometimes encaustic. Voelpel does not include titles with his pieces so that viewers can interact with the image without being influenced by a title.
The opening for the exhibit is April 2, 2010 from 6:00 – 10:00. The show will be in place April 3rd through April 24th by appointment only. To make an appointment, call Dave Voelpel at 317-345-3426.
Five Seasons Studio Gallery
1125 Brookside Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202
April 2, 6pm
1125 Brookside Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202
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