‘Beginning with a single point she creates complex fields referencing clouds, spores and nuclear explosion. Her abstracted works seem to reference fractals and needlepoint, cloud nebulae and electrons as they flip between microscope and telescope perspective.’ Such is the description of the works of Paula Overbay, given by Helen Lessick, Public Art Collections Manager for Los Angeles, California. Her technique encompasses the use of drops of paint specifically applied to canvas resulting in images that seem to float in space. The result is one of a quiet grandeur that seems to explode with contemplation into ever evolving images.
It is the quiet that you first notice about Paula. She is a seemingly tranquil woman, soft spoken, humble and passionate about her work. If you ask Paula what it is that she does, she quickly responds that she is an activist. A recent arrival to the community of Crown Heights North, by way of Fort Greene, Brooklyn via Portland, Oregon, Paula quickly became involved. Concerned about safety, preservation, and the improvement of the commercial strip along Kingston Avenue, she joined the Kingston Avenue Merchants Association or KAMA. The association, headed by James Dean Ellis, Project Manager for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, meets regularly at the Crown Heights Mediation Community Center on Kingston Avenue. Their mission is the revitalization of the Kingston Avenue corridor between Eastern Parkway and Atlantic Avenue.
Paula is enlisting her skills towards that end. Her latest project links her artistic talent with her efforts towards beautification along Kingston’s northern corridor. Her focus is a building at the NW corner of Bergen Street and Kingston Avenue whose Bergen facing wall is painted with a mural. The mural, once a source of pride within the community, has been defaced over a period of time. The lower wall, with backgrounds of blue and yellow, once proudly evoked images of Egypt, with hieroglyphics and a globe centered by the African continent. Today, the paints are worn and graffiti mars the walls. Paula reached out to the owners of the building and they granted her permission to redo the wall with a design of her own. In a recent interview Paula spoke of her efforts. ‘ I have over 50% of my budget with donations from merchants and neighbors as well as from Senator Eric Adam’s office. I am continuing to look for pledges of $25 amounts and up. This is a community project and the community is offering services, labor, and money. Everyone wants to help.’
The proposed mural, named ASPIRE, will measure 40’ wide by 8’ tall, and depict children at play in different venues. The design will be executed under the guidance of Paula, with the assistance of five intern artists chosen from the community, and a host of volunteers in various roles. The project is slated to begin April 21st for 12 sessions, every Saturday, until completed. The schedule includes four sessions of studio work, two field trips and six sessions of painting directly on the façade.
The mural will be included in the Brooklyn Children’s Museum spring festival along with other events, culminating in a street celebration of it’s completion.
There are five internship positions available, each receiving stipends.
For more information contact Paula Overbay at paula113113@yahoo.com, 718 774-1297 or visit her at www.paulaoverbay.com
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