For the last few months, I can only think about one local painter when I hear about abstract expressionism art. Gena Cohen's work is the embodiment of deconstructing shapes into abstract forms. To carry on her craft into the canvas, watching Gena is like having the fortune of spotting a sailor catching ideas and shapes in the thin air.

Gena Cohen is an abstract painter and fine arts artist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her work is starting to catch the eye of galleries and private collectors early in her career within and beyond the borders of Minnesota, as some of her paintings were displayed in New York City early this year. You may have had the luck of catching one of her paintings around the Twin Cities, but if you haven't, you will understand what I say when you do. By just staring at those for a few minutes, you will find yourself lost in the shapes and colors. It truly feels like dancing in a wild dream as the images that Gena evokes with her paintings will let your imagination run free. Borderless. 

"Alchemy," she calls it. The core of Gena's work is translating the images that flow into her mind to be poured onto the canvas. All of her paintings state a spontaneous and intuitive process. A statement of genuineness as those paintings are very much alive with vibrant colors, absorbing textures, and intriguing storytelling behind each piece as Gena is not only an astounding painter but also a unique writer. 

Beyond (or as part of her art) she overlaps her art with her own writing. Her creative process is organic and grows from her heart and experiences. Her work is intimately related to herself being something unique in colors and strokes. Nothing alike. The whole combination of means and techniques is a statement of her journey as an artist, incorporating raw materials and colors that are inspired throughout her spiritual journey and traveling along the beautiful landscape of upper Minnesota. Grand Marais, the spiritual retreat of the Northern State, but also the unique landscape that runs along the Mississippi River. 

To have such a brilliant artist in the Twin Cities is a statement of how awe-inspiring is the art stage in our community, as Gena Cohen could be painting in any place but chose to stay here. If you want to see more from Gena Cohen, you can visit her website at www.genacohen.com