FEATURED ARTIST Lower Gallery:  KIMBERLY HEMPEL FINE ART PAINTING Artists’ Statement: In Kimberly’s own words— “In my home studio, I work mostly with photo references to create oil paintings from my travels. When possible I work plein air to capture the mood of the light. I work from direct observation when possible and from photographic reference when the weather is inhospitable. Working from photographic references allows me to make a record of what I see and spend time in my studio translating that image on to the canvas. My current works feature still life in landscape, and explorations of interior settings as well.”