A 'Confluence' Of Talent: Kurt Giehl, Daniel Vernola, Aaron Warkov Launch New Collective - 27 East

Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 1810555

A 'Confluence' Of Talent: Kurt Giehl, Daniel Vernola, Aaron Warkov Launch New Collective

icon 11 Photos

"Forrest" by Kurt Giehl.

"Obsidian" by Kurt Giehl.

"Ocean Blue" by Kurt Giehl.

"Coral" by Daniel Vernola.

"Daybreak" by Daniel Vernola.

"Raft of the Medusa" by Daniel Vernola.

"16 lashes" by Aaron Warkov.

"Gravity 3" by Aaron Warkov.

"Storm Over Georgica" by Aaron Warkov.

"Confluence" by Kurt Giehl, Daniel Varnola and Aaron Warkov.

Kurt Giehl at work on

Kurt Giehl at work on "Confluence."

authorMichelle Trauring on Aug 24, 2021

There is nothing random, or accidental, about Kurt Giehl’s block paintings.

First, he starts with the composition itself — often inspired and energized by the local waters where he and his husband, Jeff Ragovin, avidly fish and take photographs.

Next, the artist chooses his color palette. And then, it all comes down to math.

“If I’ve got 576 blocks at four different depth profiles, and I have a palette of 12 colors, how many blocks of each depth profile has to be each color?” he said, offering a hypothetical problem. “Oh yeah, it’s a whole thing. But then it gets worse from there, really.”

Fabricated from a material called sintra, each painted block — which include 2-inch-by-2-inch, 3-inch-by-3-inch and 4-inch-by-4-inch squares — is then strategically, and carefully, attached to a board using industrial strength glue. It can take up to two days to assemble — and at least two people to move and install once it’s dry, typically clocking in at 125 pounds.

But once it’s hung, it’s magic, Giehl said.

“The shadows change throughout the day, so the painting, with all of its different depth profiles, is in constant motion,” he said. “I started doing these during the pandemic. And as I look back, it’s very reflective in terms of how I felt — and I think a lot of people experienced — during the lockdown: personal growth from a somewhat restricted environment.”

Starting Thursday, August 26, a selection of Giehl’s block paintings will be on view as part of the Confluence Art Collective’s inaugural show, “Confluence,” on view through Monday, August 30, at Ashawagh Hall in Springs — representing a true meeting of the minds, inspiration and art between fellow creatives Daniel Vernola and Aaron Warkov.

Together, they created a piece that they will auction off to support the South Fork Sea Farmers, a non-profit that works collaboratively with the East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery to expand and broaden educational programs and encourage residents to be stewards of their marine environment.

“The whole idea behind this show was the three of us coming together and realizing, and acknowledging, that we have very similar inspiration, in terms of what we use for our art — but yet we each have three different ways of translating that inspiration into our paintings,” Giehl said. “We thought it would be interesting to see how those three inspirations came together as one show.”

Five years ago, it wouldn’t have been possible. At that time, he spent his days on the frenetic Wall Street trading floor as an executive director with J.P. Morgan Investment Bank, putting out fires left and right — from legal and operations to technology and service.

By age 50, he’d had enough.

“I was like, ‘You know what? There’s gotta be more to life,’” he said. “It was a great career, all good, but I really needed to explore a plan B.”

It started with the couple selling their Harlem apartment and moving to their home in Springs full time. And for Giehl, with that came a reawakened urge to paint — a hobby he had enjoyed as a child, but wasn’t particularly encouraged to pursue.

“For the same reasons why this area has drawn so many artists for so long, it’s the natural beauty, it’s the light, everything about this is inspirational,” he said. “And then I also, frankly, needed something to do. I was like, ‘Okay, wow, I left J.P. Morgan — now what do I do?’”

He traded his business casual attire for paint-spattered shorts and T-shirts, Wall Street for an at-home studio. He can’t remember the last time he wore a tie, he said, and he would have it no other way.

“I’ve never thought twice about that decision, ever. Best decision of my life,” he said, adding, “My wardrobe has gone from one extreme to another extreme. It’s shocking. It’s so funny, I still hold on to some of my suits and my ties — I have so many ties. I’m like, what am I doing with these things? And I still look at them like, ‘Oh, I love that tie.’”

Outside of his clothing, much of Giehl’s day is still the same and extremely structured. He’s early to rise, usually awake between 3 and 5 a.m. thinking about artistic processes — which was true of his time at J.P. Morgan, too, but in a different sector.

Then, he paints for a set number of hours and devotes the rest of the day to marketing, connecting with clients and managerial tasks.

“It’s nice to go back and forth,” he said, between right and left brain activities. “Trust me, you should see the way I track my paintings. I asked another artist, ‘How many paintings have you ever painted?’ And he’s like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I’m like, ‘What percentage sold are you?’ I definitely keep track of all that stuff.”

With his new lifestyle has come a sense of freedom that he’s never experienced, though, Giehl explained — the scope of his work only expanding and his confidence as an artist only growing as time ticks on.

“It’s a tremendous feeling, knowing that you sell a painting and that painting may be in that person’s life for the rest of their life, and then maybe their child grew up with it and always admired it and wanted it,” he said. “It’s great that these paintings take on a whole life of their own and you may never know where it goes, and I love that.”

The Confluence Art Collective will open its inaugural exhibit, “Confluence,” featuring work by Kurt Giehl, Daniel Vernola and Aaron Warkov, on Thursday, August 26, at Ashawagh Hall in Springs. A reception will be held on Saturday, August 28, from 5 to 8 p.m., and the show will remain on view through Monday, August 30. For more information, call 631-267-6554 or visit ashawagh-hall.org.

You May Also Like:

Leigh Bardugo Comes to Sag Harbor Books for Book Signing, Meet and Greet

Growing up, best-selling author Leigh Bardugo always knew she wanted to be a writer, but ... 11 Jul 2025 by Hope Hamilton

Springs Artist Fitzhugh Karol Debuts Outdoor Sculpture Show at Duck Creek

The Arts Center at Duck Creek will present “Fitzhugh Karol: On the Grounds,” a site-specific ... 8 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

La Goulue Sur Mer Arrives in Southampton, With a Dash of Chaos and a Side of Style

“Is it true?” said the anxious DM on my Instagram account. “Is La Goulue really ... by Steven Stolman

Art on a Line: Guild Hall’s Clothesline Sale Hangs Tough for 2025

Guild Hall’s beloved Clothesline Art Sale returns on Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual event, a Hamptons tradition since 1946, transforms the museum’s lawn into a sea of original artwork — hung on clotheslines — and offers visitors the chance to purchase local art at accessible prices. Jackson Pollock once sold a painting at the sale for $250, and past participants have included Lee Krasner, Alfonso Ossorio, Elaine and Willem de Kooning and other art-world icons. The event continues to offer a rare opportunity for the public to view and purchase work by East End ... by Staff Writer

The Climate-Friendly Fitness Routine

“Live simply so that others might simply live” — Mahatma Gandhi The first time I ... by Jenny Noble

Joy Behar Gets the Last Laugh in ‘My First Ex-Husband' at Bay Street Theater, July 14-19

Emmy Award-winning comedian and co-host of “The View,” Joy Behar stars in “My First Ex-Husband,” a bold, funny and heartfelt new play based on true stories from her life. The limited engagement runs July 14 through 19, at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. With razor-sharp wit and no filters, “My First Ex-Husband” explores the messy, hilarious truths of love, sex and relationships. Adapted from Behar’s personal experiences, the show is both deeply personal and widely relatable. Behar will appear on stage on July 14, 18 and 19. Also appearing nightly, July 14 through 19, are Veanne Cox, a Tony-nominated ... by Staff Writer

Experience the Rhythms of Brazil With Nilson Matta’s Voyage Quartet

Grammy-nominated bassist Nilson Matta will lead his Brazilian Voyage Quartet at The Church on Friday, July 25, at 6 p.m. The concert is part of Hamptons JazzFest. The group features acclaimed guitarist Chico Pinheiro and offers a rich exploration of samba, bossa nova and modern Brazilian jazz. Matta, a founding member of the renowned Trio da Paz and longtime collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma on the Grammy-winning “Obrigado Brazil” project, is known for blending traditional Brazilian rhythms with contemporary jazz. His lyrical bass playing and deep rhythmic connection have earned him international acclaim. Guitarist Chico Pinheiro, recognized as a leading voice ... by Staff Writer

At the Galleries for July 10, 2025

Montauk The Depot Art Gallery, at the Montauk railroad station at the corner of Flamingo ... by Staff Writer

Round and About for July 10, 2025

Fireworks Shelter Island Fireworks The Shelter Island fireworks will be held on Saturday, July 12, ... by Staff Writer

Curtis Institute of Music Alumni and Faculty To Perform in East Hampton on July 22

Talented alumni and faculty from the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music will tour the East Coast this summer, with a concert scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton. The event is presented by Music for Montauk. The program features beloved melodies ranging from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” to works by Brahms and de Falla. Performers include mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg, violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen, pianist Hanchien Lee, and Curtis Institute President and violist Roberto Díaz. The concert program includes: Manuel de Falla’s “Suite Populaire Espagnole,” performed by Díaz (viola) and Lee (piano); ... by Staff Writer