Local artists Audrey Colker and her husband, Robert Johans, share the bill throughout April at Thump Coffee with an exhibition of Colker’s encaustic paintings and Johans’ multimedia works on display throughout April. Thump will stay open late for First Friday Art Walk, April 6.

Colker says she approached these encaustic paintings as a process of layering: “Molten wax and pigment are laid down, layer after layer in an additive/subtractive manner. What happens after the paint is applied, then heated, scribed, scraped off or re-layered, is where each piece evolves into the illusory properties of texture, color, light and space. Decisions are made, problems solved and transformations occur that cannot be planned. That is where the fun begins”

Johans explains that his most recent compositions are “physical as well as visual — presenting multiple focal planes of deliberately manipulated elements, requiring that the concept and context be considered within three dimensions. Though each composition relies upon the formalized structure of the frame, the imagery is not restricted by its parameters. These compositions not only contain objects, textures and colors, but also reference, notion and interpretation— and, I think, a little whimsy.”

Every month, Thump Coffee exhibits local artists’ works, and in 2010 Thump was recognized with an “Artie Award” from the Arts & Culture Council for Central Oregon. Thump Coffee is located in the heart of downtown Bend at 25 NW Minnesota Ave. For hours and info, go to www.thumpcoffee.com or call 541-388-0226.