June artist uses found objects in his works

Michael Kasun, who creates art from found objects, is the June artist in residence at the Cedarburg Cultural Center.

Kasun, who has practiced art throughout  his life, has also worked in horticulture, floral design and greenhouses and is a birdwatcher, which has inspired much of his work. Birds are a common subject matter, as well as lakes, rivers, skies and landscapes.

As a founding member of the Flesh Experts drawing group, Kasun has practiced drawing live nude models for 20-plus years, which inspires him to include the human form in his works.

He keeps a supply of his existing paintings on hand to use as backgrounds and he is not afraid to destroy something he has just painted to remake it into something new.

Found objects are an inspiration for Kasun, who said  he enjoys creating sculptures “using weathered beach wood and rusted metal objects sourced from abandoned parking lots, train tracks and wherever I may find something interesting to pick up.”  

Kasun will demonstrate his art from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, June 5, 12, 19 and 26, and Saturday, June 14.

He will also teach the painting class “Birds, Brushes and Boards” from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. The workshop, designated for people of all skill levels, will focus on painting the details of birds using acrylic paints on heavyweight paper. Referencing source materials in the form of photographic images, students will learn how to layer the paint and brushstrokes to achieve a feathery appearance. A scientific illustration showing the parts of a bird will also be supplied so there will be a better understanding of a bird’s anatomy.

The fee of $60 for center members and $72 for nonmembers includes all supplies. An additional $5 fee is due to the instructor at the beginning of the class for a prepared museum mounting board.

For more information and registration, visit www.cedarburgculturalcenter.org.