Inspired by the Masters is an inspiring way to spend some time whether you are an artist, art lover or just plain curious. This show presented by The Villages Art League and The Villages Recreation Department consists of more than 30 paintings and photographs. The artists in this show used another work by a master for inspiration; a photograph of the work that inspired each artist hangs near their finished product.
The works in this exhibit were judged by Ocala-based artist Margaret Watts. An accomplished artist with works in private and corporate collections and public spaces, Watts in addition to awarding ribbons provided each artist with a written critique of their work.
“She was very impressed with the talent of the show artists and also, impressed at how well they kept to the idea of the show,” said Catherine Sullivan, Exhibit Chair for The Villages Art League.
Each of the works by these talented artists are enjoyable in their own right, but seeing what inspired them adds to the enjoyment of the show.
Several artists using painters such as Degas, Renoir or Cassette modernized the paintings by using their grandchildren as subjects.
Artist Gail Parker had fun with Van Gogh’s “A Pair of Shoes” by using a pair of her husband’s tennis shoes. “Both Van Gogh’s and my husband’s shoes were ratty old everyday shoes, my husband’s are just the modern version,” said Parker of her honorable mention work.
Chagall’s “I and the Village” became “I and The Villages” by artist James Zatlukal. His watercolor incorporates among other things upright and turned over golf carts, faces in visors and golf hats and the lookout tower at Lake Sumter.
Other artists had some fun with their inspirations. Rodin’s “The Thinker” became “The Female Thinker” by artist Joal Litavsky. Gainsborough’s “The Blue Boy’ inspired “Blue Boy Retired” by artist Kathy Enos.
Peggy Lefebvre was awarded Best in Show for her watercolor “Miranda and Gino.” She used as her master inspiration “Malle Babbe” by Frans Hals.
“I love Hals’ sense of humour and energy, for me the master choice was obvious,” Lefebvre. “He painted ordinary people with joy on their faces, a different way of handling portraits from the typical stern faces.” Lefebvre used the essence of Hals to capture the force of nature and energy of Miranda, her dog sitter and her dog Gino.
“Cool Toned Austerity” a watercolor by Diane Fein was awarded a first place ribbon. “This is a big departure for me” said Fein “I don’t usually do still lifes, I usually do mixed media, but I just felt compelled to do some jugs.” Looking through some books she discovered an artist she was not familiar with – Giorgio Morandi, and realized that was the master whose work she would emulate.
Catherine Sullivan, Exhibit Chair for the VAL, considers this the challenge and fun of the show for the artists. They research to find the inspiration and in doing so several artists discovered painters not previously known to them.
Another awarded artist painting outside her usual realm is Diane Andrus.
“This is a big departure for me. I usually do water colors,” said Andrus. Knowing she wanted to do flowers, she researched Dutch floral painters and used Jan Davidsz. de Heem as the inspiration for her acrylic painting, “Tulips.”
Photography is also part of the exhibit. Photographer Eileen Sklon used Degas as her inspiration for her work “Tiny Dancers.” She uses a photo style called panning which she describes as slow shutter speed combined with intentional movement of the camera. The photograph becomes her sketch. She adds techniques using photo shop with the goal in mind to make them look like paintings. This particular picture is of her granddaughter’s dance recital. It earned her a first place ribbon.
This show is located at La Galleria in the La Hacienda Regional Recreation Center at 1200 Avenida Central near Spanish Springs Town Square. The center is open daily and the paintings will be up until December 10. The take on the masters makes this a really interesting show worth