Friday, May 26, 2006
June Review Writing Experiment
Do you like this story?
Well folks, things have been quite busy lately with me and I have not been able to sit down and write all the reviews I have wanted for the month. June seems to be starting out just as busy for me as well. I now HAVE to find a good job asap. So we at On the Cusp have decided to try an experiment for the month of June.
We are going to open up an opportunity for all of our readers to be able to submit a single review of any Indianapolis area art show as long as they are willing to post it under their real name. We will not be editing your writing in any way. Interested?
Here is what we would like you to do. Write a review for any local art show you want. Email the review to me at narziss01@aol.com with a subject heading of "review for blog". In the email please send at least one image from the show as well as info on the image (who's work it is, title of work, etc.) and include your full name. We will accept and publish one review from each writer only and you are responsible for your own editing and spell check before you send to us.
I am hoping that this experiment will be utilized by our readers during the month of June and perhaps allow for a broader range and variety of view points for these reviews. I am really interested in seeing how many people will particpate in this experiment and hope to find some great writers among our readership. May the reviews begin.
[UPDATE: If you want to submit writing under your regular blog name, then that will be acceptable as well.]
2 Responses to “June Review Writing Experiment”
May 26, 2006 at 3:22 PM
Cool! Here's a warm up review for a show that is at Sugar Creek Art Center through June 3rd.....I really like Emma Overman, so I'd like to submit this review I wrote for the Lebanon Reporter for my piece. I hope you don't mind.
Emma Overman and Jim Mailloux at Sugar Creek Art Center.
The May exhibition at SCAC starts as soon as you begin going up the stairs to the second floor gallery. There are at least 25 paintings by Indiana’s “Queen of Whimsy”, Emma Overman. Be sure to ogle the diagonal painting “Ritual” as you ascend the stairs. This scene is a darling procession of soft, gentle creatures getting ready for bed. Going up their own red staircase is a ladybug with her little dolly, a mole with his toothbrush, a pig with a plate of cookies (of course!), a bee with a glass of water, and a cute worm holding a candle. I am always struck by Miss Overman’s meticulous attention to detail.
Once in the gallery you can see “Peace Offering”, a serene scene with a dark hooded Overman chicklet, offering a goat with an elongated neck an apple. The canvas has a painted black and gold faux frame that really makes it stand out.
“In the Woods” is a large, striking work of six individually painted wood panels that show a petite Red Riding Hood strolling through a subdued, mythical green forest. The big bad wolf that is peeking around the last tree is wonderful. What big eyes he has! There is also a smaller Red Riding Hood series in the Studio 102 gift shop. This is a group of four handmade hanging boxes, each painted from a different angle, giving a narrative feel as you follow Little Red through the woods. The paintings can be purchased individually, or as a group.
There are 2 works in this show from Emma’s own book “Bedbug” that are exceptional. Both have specially designed frames created by the artist and a good friend. You might think a bedbug sounds a tad creepy, but this little fellow is very sweet and cute! He is attired in 1950’s style striped cotton pajamas as he is shown sleeping and having tea with Rosie, a very content looking rag doll.
Emma enjoys the nautical theme. In this category, “Beachcomber” and “Seabirds” will vie for your attention. Which do you like better, a ladybug looking out to sea with her blue wagon full of shells, or a straw hatted young woman with seabirds, fisher creatures and bubbles? The seagull with the tiny fish swimming in his transparent belly (in “Seabirds”) is a favorite with the SCAC resident artists.
Emma Overman’s paintings have won numerous awards recently, and she is showing her work nationally. Besides the appeal of their stunning uniqueness and craftsmanship, her paintings should make good investments as her art climbs higher and higher.
Jim Mailloux
BARGAIN ALERT! I’ve had to revise this article twice because paintings mentioned have sold and are gone! Be smart….get Mr. Mailloux’s paintings before someone else does.
Jim Mailloux has a large, wonderful group of natural florals and landscapes in the SCAC May exhibition. His work is diverse, of high quality, and extremely affordable. “Autumn Splendor”, fall on Sugar Creek, is a standout. A large painting of a gentle creek and trees, Autumn Splendor is painted in a loose style with grayed russet tones. Jim’s paintings are all smartly matted and framed, ready to add beauty to your home or office.
My favorites are “Wedge Rock”, trail in Turkey Run, and “Sycamores”, along the Wabash Heritage Trail. Both are gorgeous, clear, loose renditions of natural beauty on yupo, a type of plastic paper. The earth toned brushstrokes of each painting appear wet, rounded and clean…..very lovely.
“End of Season” is a SCAC artist favorite. It has a Tuscan feel to it. A beautifully framed vertical painting of a braid of garlic, “End of Season” is perfect for your kitchen or a restaurant.
“White on White” is a large, intriguing monochromatic style still life. It is executed in harmonious shades of white, cream, gray, and brown. This painting is a watercolor, yet it has an interesting undercurrent of texture patterns, perhaps done with gesso and a palette knife.
This show runs from May 4th through June 3rd. SCAC hours are Thursday through Saturday, 11am to 6pm. Visit the Sugar Creek Art Center website www.sugarcreekart.org for more information.
Liz Margason
May 26, 2006 at 3:28 PM
Doh! I forgot the emailing part! Oh well...
Post a Comment