By Grace Heimsness

Austin ArtWorks Festival intern

Abstract art demands much — not just from the artist, but from the viewer as well.

Patience and creativity are rewarded in both parties, though, and one often leaves such a gallery having taken in more than what has met their eye.

We’re lucky enough to be hosting several of these artists at this year’s ArtWorks Festival, two of which are Ryan Heath and Wendy Heimsness (hi, Mom).

Ryan Heath is a photographer who’s traveled to Hawaii, Mexico and the Dominican Republic for photo shoots, although you’ll be seeing his acrylic and spray paint work at the Festival.

Heath uses stencils and bold colors to create lines both geometric and playful, which leave indelible impressions on the viewer and give new insight to familiar subjects.

Wendy Heimsness has painted everything from your living room walls to nail salon murals, but her heart and soul lie in abstract acrylic paintings. Working with bold lines and colors not unlike Heath, Heimsness has a keen sense for composition. Her pieces may at once call to mind a moment, an emotion, and a history worth wondering over.

Be sure to check out Heimsness and Heath in our Turbine Room this August, and a heads up that tickets are now on sale for the Austin ArtWorks Festival’s Saturday night Concert, featuring Cloud Cult and Pert Near Sandstone.

Visit austinareaarts.org or stop by the Paramount Theatre box office to get yours. Until next week, hold on tight.