Natural transition

Elizabeth Weber, known as a painter, debuts found material sculptures

HOT SPRINGS — Elizabeth Weber’s first solo show since starting a new direction with sculptural works made from materials found in nature opened with a reception Aug. 7 at Justus Fine Art.

Dolores Justus, owner of the gallery at 827 Central Ave., hosted the event as part of Hot Springs Art Walk, which is held the first Friday of each month.

Weber previously showed some works in this series at a group show with her associates of Art Gap (Group of Artist Professionals) at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies in March 2019.

Primarily known as a painter, the Little Rock artist has been exploring themes of refuge and home in her sculptural pieces created with natural materials such as leaves, thorns and other objects. Among the works is “Social Distancing,” made from leaf skeletons, honey locust thorns, wool roving and dandelion wishes. It was her first work to be accepted to the Arkansas Arts Center’s Delta Exhibition. It was praised by juror Stefanie Fedor, Executive Director of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Va., during the exhibition’s online opening June 18.

Also drawing appreciative comments at the gallery were “Home,” a stunning 30-by-60-by-40 inches version of a wasp’s nest made from acid-free tissue paper and paper clay, and “Colony,” a group of sphere-shaped works of various sizes made from leaf skeletons, wool roving and dandelion seeds.

Weber is still painting and offered several new works, including pieces from a new tapestry-themed series.

The gallery is also showing work by Emily Wood, Sandra Sell and Robyn Horn.

The exhibition closes Saturday.

The sun brings an amber glow to artist Elizabeth Weber’s “Colony,” a series of rounded shapes made from leaves, wool roving and dandelion seeds.

Artist Elizabeth Weber and Justus Fine Art gallery owner Dolores Justus with “Home,” a replica of a wasp nest

Robert and Mary Zunick of Hot Springs discuss the work “Colony” with Elizabeth Weber.

Linda Williams Palmer stands next to her artwork “Southern Magnolia.”

“Social Distancing,” created from leaf skeletons, honey locust thorns, wool roving and dandelion wishes by Elizabeth Weber.

“Tapestry Series: Remnant III” is an acrylic on canvas by Elizabeth Weber.

Emily Wood’s watercolor on paper is titled “Larkspur 1.”

Hot Springs artist Gene Spurling holds one of his wood-turned vessels.