Featured Artist: Tara Kesner

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Tara Kesner began her career at a "Big 4" accounting firm. Years later, she's found new passion in creating abstracts inspired by her four young daughters. She says of her muses, "My daughters are passionate, wild, kind, free and inherently feminine. I can't help but capture their spirit when painting. Through painting, I would like to introduce you to their youthful energy, individuality, personality, beauty and - at times - anger. I hope to cover your walls in color and fire, as they cover me every day." 

Style and Subject Matter

While Kesner’s methodology has evolved over time, one thing remains constant: her use of bright, bold colors. Each piece is saturated with movement and vibrancy—much like her daughters. In fact, there’s usually an endearing story behind each unique creation. Albeit the remembrance of a nursery wall color or the recollection of a young one getting a hold of lipstick, Kesner’s work offers equal parts style and sentiment. Her nonobjective pieces use line, texture, and pattern to convey emotion and mood.

Similar Artists

Current collectors of David Ma or Scott Hunter may feel a similar connection to Tara’s bold abstracts. Liz Jardine’s bright florals make an excellent complement to Kesner’s pieces as well. Whatever your taste or preference, you’re sure to find something you love in our Downtown Overland Park Gallery.

At Prairiebrooke, we bring the best of the best to Kansas City. We carry dozens of artists from throughout the metro, country, and world. Our team of art professionals can help you find the piece you’ve been dreaming of. Schedule your personal art consultation to get started!

5 Quick Tips to Improve Your Art Buying Experience

Whether you’re an experienced art connoisseur or purchasing art for the very first time, there’s always something to be learned about the art buying process. Unlike other purchases you’ll make throughout your lifetime—cars, homes, appliances, etc.—art’s sole purpose is to be seen and loved. Because its value is derived almost exclusively from its aesthetic appearance and sentimental importance, art must be approached with a different type of pragmatism than your other everyday purchases. The good news is, you only need one qualifier in order to purchase art: you have to want to! Check out these quick tips for improving your art buying experience.

Make it Merry

Buy art that brings you joy. Whether from the color, style, texture, subject, or the memory that surrounds its purchase, art should make you happy. It may sound simple, but it holds true. Art should bring contentment to your life and to your home.  

Plan Ahead

When beginning a design project, include art in the plan and budget. Art shouldn’t be an afterthought! If you start with art, you’ll provide a catalyst for color and style and truly make your space special.

Finish with a Frame

Don’t forget the frame! Beautiful framing is the jewelry on a piece of art. Well-designed custom framing makes your art complete. Want to keep it simple? The addition of a float frame to a canvas is the perfect touch for a clean and sophisticated look. Always ask for conservation materials to ensure your art is protected to stand the test of time. Your locally-owned frame shop is a great resource.

Enjoy the Moment

Get out an enjoy the experience of buying art! Visit local galleries in your neighborhood and make a point to visit galleries during your travels. Think of art as a gift for birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings.  Write a note on the back with the date so that that the memory surrounding its purchase will live on for years to come.

Act Fast!

If you see a piece you love, buy it! It may not be there when you go back. In a world full of mass-produced home décor and big box stores, it is your local gallery that provides the unique experience of buying something truly one of a kind for the home.

For the best selection of fine art and custom framing in the Kansas City area, check out Prairiebrooke Gallery in Downtown Overland Park. Whether you’re looking for that special piece for your home or trying to up your office’s interior design game, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call or schedule an appointment to get started!

Featured Artist: Cat Tesla

Cat Tesla’s path to becoming an artist is quite different than most others. In the beginning of her career, it was a toss-up between art and science. Tesla began with the latter and obtained a master's degree in human genetics. For 20 years she worked at Emory University seeing patients in genetic clinics. While this wasn’t the final stop on her career path, her time in the medical field helped direct her back to her innate passions—nature and creating.

She says of her career at Emory, “Averaging 500 patients a year, I had a range of experiences.” Her years in genetics, a job which often required parlaying devastating, life-changing news, led her to seek solace in yoga, hiking, and mindful meditation. She eventually decided to pursue her first love, obtaining a degree in graphic design and eventually leaving genetics to further develop her identity in front of the easel.

Style and Subject Matter

The "Chrysalis Series" is an abstraction of nature employing acrylic, inks, graphite, wax crayon, oil pastel, and oil glazes. Tesla begins with an gesture drawing in graphite and wax crayon, then applies translucent layers, more markings, and more paint. She says of her methodology, “In our minds, we know what a hike looks like, or a garden, a meadow, or a waterfall. But what do they feel like? That’s what I try to convey in my painting.” When you see these commanding pieces in person, it’s hard to ignore their invitation into a new understanding of the organic elements surrounding us.

Similar Artists

Tesla’s dreamy ethereal landscapes are a vibrant addition to any space or room. If you like her elemental, surreal texture, you’d also love the dreamy work of California artist, Liz Jardine. For pieces that share Tesla’s feminine glam, consider a mixed media work from Maeve Harris. If you love the natural abstraction of Tesla’s pieces, you’ll admire Noah Desmond’s stunning water gardens. Each artist creates a unique experience that resonates differently with each viewer.

At Prairiebrooke, we’re proud to represent some of the finest artists from throughout the region, nation, and world. Stop by our Downtown Overland Park Gallery to view our wide selection of contemporary art. Schedule your one-on-one consultation to get started!