“Giehl’s paintings—both his seductive, soothing landscapes and graphic abstracts—have immediate and lasting appeal. ”
“My seascape paintings highlight the subtleness of horizon – where air meets land meets water. I find the horizon fascinating and attempt to capture it using images I’ve taken on numerous fishing trips around East End bodies of water. My intent is that these paintings induce a level of calm and tranquility. Slightly abstracted, the paintings are intended to draw the viewer into a surreal and somewhat otherworldly scene. I intentionally limit my palette to further exaggerate the subtleness of my composition and create a soothing experience.
Different from my seascape paintings, my abstracts are bolder oil paintings and collages that explore the process of creating art. I like to explore an object or shape by replicating it multiple times – finding structure and balance as the creative process evolves. My line paintings are complete play on color and structure. There is something incredibly satisfying about a line – it provides order and balance.
On any given day, I pivot between working on my seascape and abstract paintings. I love switching things up and am constantly exploring new ways to express myself..” — KG
Giehl was born and raised in Rochester, NY. He attended Drexel University. After 23 years on Wall Street, Giehl decided to leave his financial career behind and pursue his passion for art full time. Having only dabbled in art while on Wall Street, Giehl and his husband relocated from Manhattan to East Hampton to fully immerse himself into the East End art scene. Primarily self-taught, Giehl has relied heavily on his collaboration with other Hamptons artists to develop and guide his creative journey.
Giehl’s work is exhibited widely across galleries on the East End and Los Angeles. He has had solo exhibits at Exhibit A Gallery in Los Angeles, CA, Ashawagh Hall and Lululemon in East Hampton, NY. His work was included in gallery exhibits at the Kathryn Markel Gallery in Bridgehampton, NY; William Ris Gallery in Jamesport, NY, and The White Room in Bridgehampton, NY. Giehl’s work is also included in numerous home stores, including Elizabeth Dow Home in East Hampton, NY, Destination Haus in Amagansett, NY; and Atlantic in Nantucket, MA. Giehl enjoys working with collectors on numerous commissions and his work is included in many private collections located in the United States and abroad.
Giehl lives and works in East Hampton, New York.
Kurt Giehl by Jaime Lopez
ARTIST'S CAROUSEL
rotating exhibit of current & recently sold work
KURT GIEHL speaks to folioeast’s COCO MYERS
CM/ WHAT MATERIAL DO YOU USE? WHAT APPEALS TO YOU ABOUT THOSE MATERIALS?
KG/ My paintings generally start with an acrylic base followed by oil. I started painting using acrylic, but it was always a battle to inhibit the drying process. I felt like it was a race against time and very stressful for me. With oil, there is a luxury of feel and movement of the paint across the canvas. I can manipulate the paint over time in a way that is far more enjoyable.
CM/ IS THERE AN ASPECT OF YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS THAT YOU FEEL IS PARTICULARLY UNIQUE TO YOU/YOUR ART? MAYBE IT’S THE PALETTE OR THE SIZE OR THE SHAPES YOU ARE DRAWN TO?
KG/ I’m most creative between the hours of 3 and 5 am. This is when I lie in bed and think, some would say obsess, about inspiration, paintings, techniques, process, what I’m trying to say with my art. While it’s not good for my sleep, it’s a great creative journey – at least in my mind.
CM/ YOU DO BOTH ABSTRACT WORKS AND LANDSCAPES. DESCRIBE HOW YOU APPROACH EACH STYLE OR HOW YOU GO FROM ON TO THE OTHER.
KG/ I work on multiple paintings throughout the day. I love going from one type of painting to another as it keeps things interesting. Painting landscapes puts me in almost a trance where I get completely lost in the painting. My abstracts require more focus on the process and techniques I’m using.
CM/ Where and when do you do your most of your work? WHERE AND WHEN DO YOU DO MOST OF YOUR WORK?
KG/ I do all of my work in my studio at my home. Having spent a big part of the night thinking about what I want to do, the day finds me in full execution mode. The only change I would make to my work process is to find more opportunities to paint with other artists. I like to watch other people paint, I like the collaboration that occurs, and I like to talk. I can only listen to so many podcasts during the day without going nuts.
CM/ WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE EAST END? AND WHEN?
KG/ Three and half years ago, both my husband and I were ready to make a life change. I left my 25-year career on Wall Street, we sold our apartment, and we moved to our East Hampton home. The way of life on the East End is the way we like to live.
CM/ Do you feel inspired by the history of art on the east end? DO YOU FEEL INSPIRED BY THE HISTORY OF ART ON THE EAST END?
KG/ Living in the Springs especially, it’s hard not to be inspired by how many great artists lived and worked in the area. I also find incredible inspiration from current living and working artists on the East End. The community is so welcoming and open to new and emerging artists. It’s really quite special and I’ve benefited tremendously from the relationships I’ve built with the artist community.
CM/ DO YOU HAVE ANY WORKS BY EAST END ARTISTS IN YOUR HOME? ARE THERE ANY ARTISTS YOU WOULD LOVE TO OWN?
KG/ I do own work by many east end artists. There are so many talented artists on the east end, it’s hard not to collect. I am particularly fond of Christine Matthai, a folioeast artist. I find her work incredibly exciting and vibrant, but somehow at the same time, there is a meditative quality about her work that I Iove.