You can either draw, or you can’t. “Drawing From Perception VII” welcome you to the world of the can-do drawers.
Not only can these artists draw but also their works stand out among other talented artists in the nation. You can find their art at the Robert & Elaine Stein Galleries at Wright State University, the seventh annual national celebration of drawing talent.
“Drawing From Perception VII” is a national drawing exhibition organized by Wright State University’s Robert and Elaine Stein Galleries and department of art/art history. Its aim is to highlight the finest contemporary examples of drawing from direct observation.
Dayton-area artists showing drawings in the exhibit are Erin Holscher Almazan and Kathy A. Moore. Another artist and WSU graduate, Clara Coleman, recently moved to Hawaii from Dayton. Moore had two works accepted into the exhibit: “Vase on Counter Top Still Life” and “Looking Down and Into Mirrored Self Portrait.” Both are large-scale works with black conte crayon and gesso on paper.
“I love to draw, and find working from direct observation to be extremely challenging,” said Moore, a Casstown resident who was also juried into the “Drawing From Perception” show in 2009. “I like to work fairly large in scale, so it becomes more of a physical as well as an intellectual activity for me.”
Almazan’s piece, “Atelier Figure Study #1,” is a male nude in graphite. Coleman’s India ink wash, charcoal and conte crayon piece is titled “Hangin’ Indoors in Honolulu, HI.”
Moore, Almazan and Coleman were among the 33 artists that juror Stanley Lewis decided drew well enough to make the cut. There are 49 works in total from a field of 60 entries. Lewis is a well-known New York artist.
Upon a cursory review of the drawings, two stood out among the group. Both were large-scale graphite and paper collage works by Mark Lewis of Tulsa, Okla.: “Peoria Ave #4 (BBD)” and “Peoria Ave #5 (BSBBQ).” Both are approximately 60 inches square, but that isn’t the only reason they stand out. Lewis uses bold lines, striking geometric shapes, and layering that adds texture to the street scenes. (Mark Lewis is not related to the juror.)
Two graphite on paper works by Judith M. Felch, “Companion Forces” and “Pinch Point” were elegant under her subtle and smooth strokes. I enjoyed Amy MacLennan’s “Liasions Dangereux” because of the fantasy theme.
Standing proud among the black/white/grays, I admired the color in Philip Hale’s charcoal and pastel trio: “Bajo Piuses and Mountain 1,” “Copey With Mountain 10,” and “Copey With Trees 2.” I enjoyed the the wood canvas of Kate Sikorski’s charcoal drawing, “Life Drawing Gymnastics: Self Portrait Supporting Model.”
Other color pieces done well include Timur Azaev’s color graphite “Tupper Lake,” and Craig Smith’s oil pastel, “(A.M.) Color Study of My Neighbors to the East.”
Stanley Lewis even included Tim Kennedy’s watercolor, “Dock,” though some would not consider a watercolor in a drawing competition.
Gallery coordinator Tess Cortes said, “To some folks if it has color at all, it is not considered a drawing. However, the quick nature of watercolor, the sketch-like properties can seem like a category of drawing. Everything was up to the discretion of the juror.”
“I am proud to have my work get this recognition,” Moore said. “To be part of this national exhibition and to have such a renowned artist as Stanley Lewis respond to my work is very gratifying.” Moore also received Best of Show this past fall at the Richmond Museum of Art Regional Competition in Indiana.
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