Surreal Strangeness in Starkville: Art Exhibition by Laurie Burton, Joseph MacGown, and Joe MacGown

We had a pretty good crowd last night at our Surreal show here in Starkville with probably close to 50 folks showing up to view our art and talk about art and other things. This was probably close to the perfect sized crowd given the smallish space. We even had a few things out on the porch of Laurie's place. And the weather could not have been better!! Yep. Thanks a bunch to Laurie Burton for allowing Joseph and I to exhibit some of our art alongside of hers. I think the combination worked out really well.

Laurie Burton

All three of us sold some stuff, so, it was successful in that regard too. Sold several copies of my art book, which was nice. Regional artist Frank McGuigan (check out his stuff on his Facebook art page at: https://www.facebook.com/FrankMcguiganArtist) seemed especially taken with Joseph's work, and he and some others purchased several small prints, including some that he had adhered to wood and brushed over with acrylic gloss medium. I saw some people carting out a couple of Laurie's smaller paintings as well.

Stuff on the porch

Both Laurie and I had some more expensive pieces ($400-$1500), but none of these sold. We did not really expect to sell them at this small venue anyway, and they were mostly here for folks to look at and contemplate. In all actuality, it is super hard to sell original art in Starkville that is priced above $150. Prints do fine, of course. I suppose times are tough. Even the rich folks around here don't seem to buy much art, at least locally. I know several wealthy jokers who have told me they would like some of my art, but they could not afford it right now. When I say rich, I mean you know, millionaires or close to it, living in 5000 sq ft homes and blah blah. They want it, but they want you to give it to them! But, those same people don't give their services out for free! Funny. We all had good reaction to our art, so that was great.

Brent Wallace and Joseph MacGown

John Formby 

Helen O"Neill 

Joseph MacGown, guitar boy

Joseph, Max Roethig, and Sandra Schachat

Joseph and people looking and stuff

Max

The Ramseys 

Sandra

April Wallace and her daughter Wren

Its always surprising to see who comes to shows in our area, and especially, who doesn't. With the university here and its nationally known art department, a strong high school art program, and a thriving and lucrative local Starkville Arts Association group, you would think that whenever there was an art show of any type, most of those folks would show up to soak up any and all art. But, sadly, this is not the case. I think we had one MSU art student show up (thanks Thomas McBroom!), no high school art students (and I am telling you, they would have fucking loved this show!!), one MSU art faculty member (Greg Martin, a fairly new guy from Los Angeles who we see at every single art and music related venue in the area!), and maybe 3 or 4 folks from the local arts association, despite the fact that the president elect (Laurie Burton), hosted this event in her gallery/home. Amazing. And yet, we still had at least 50 folks come by.

Sandra Schachat and Greg Martin

Anyway, the show was pretty awesome! Had fun chatting with some goobs. If you missed this, it will still be up for the Starkville Artists tour next Saturday afternoon from 4-7 pm. I believe you can buy tickets to this event for $10 each. A ticket will allow you to view the studios of 5 local artists, including Laurie Burton. Since Joseph and I have works here, we will be part of the studio tour by default. But, hey, if you don't want to pay 10 bucks, you can come visit my studio any time you want to, and yes, for FREE!

And, if next Saturday does not work for you, I will be having a one person show with an opening reception on Thursday, May 15th from 6 to 8 pm at the Mississippi Modern Homesteading Center off of Newlight Road here in Starkville, MS (http://www.msmodernhomestead.com/). I will have some duplication of art, but also will have other stuff. This will not be the same show.

Surreal Strangeness in Starkville: Art Exhibition by Laurie Burton, Joseph MacGown, and Joe MacGown

Laurie Burton, Joseph MacGown, and I will be having a small group exhibition at Wild Rose Studios at 302 S. Jackson Street in Starkville, Mississippi. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 PM on May 3rd, 2014, and the show will be up for about two weeks following the opening. Featured art will include various paintings and strange sculptures of human heads and torsos by Laurie Burton, surreal collages and paintings by Joseph H. MacGown, and semi-weird surreal and fantastic mixed media paintings and drawings by Joe MacGown.

Select original paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages, prints, notecards, and other cool stuff will be available for sale. Joseph will have some of his original CDs available as well, weird music, $10 each. Some copies of My new art book should be available too, $40 each. The book is soft cover, 8.5 X 11 inches, and with 96 pages of art. The artwork and text will be on a black background. This softcover book is being printed by the folks at Chalet Arts in Starkville, MS.

Cash would be best for prints, notecards, CDS, etc., but we can take a check. If you want an original, checks are welcome. There is a chance that we will actually be able to take credit cards, but bring cash or check to be sure (if you want to buy stuff). Prices for buttons, notecards, and prints will range from $2 or $3 to $50 dollars for larger prints. Originals from $450 to $1500. Don't feel pressured to purchase something, if you like, just look at stuff and act weird:)

If you can't make it to this show, but are interested in getting a copy of the paper back book of my art that I am having printed, just contact me. Additionally, I have a hardcover version of this book available online. This version is printed at Blurb.com, and being hardcover, it more expensive, and very professionally done. Price for one is $64.51. Of course, if you would like to buy multiple copies, there is a discount. 

Subconscious Meandering by Joe A MacGown | Make Your Own Book

Best of Show and First in Painting/Drawing Division at Cotton District Arts Festival Juried Arts Exhibition

The Cotton Districts Arts Festival was another success this year starting with a 5k race with some 400 people or so, a pet parade, one mile fun run, juried art exhibition, numerous art and/or crafts booths, awesome music, food, dance, poetry, and lots more! Wow. And, great weather. Plus, with Super Bulldog Weekend going on the same weekend, tons of folks were in town. 

For me, the juried show was the highlight, as I managed to get all three of my pieces accepted in this eclectic show judged by David Lambert, who I mentioned in my last blog as being the current Gallery Director of Michalopoulos Gallery in New Orleans, LA. This guy is also a talented artist who is into surrealism, pop art, and expression. You can check out his art at davidlambert.com. 

Well, the show could not have gone better for me, as my piece "Convergence" won Best of Show and also won first place in the Painting/Drawing category, both with sweet cash prizes ($750 and $500). Cool, cool, cool! Also, I won a $100 merit prize for my piece entitled "Going to the Circus."

some pieces from the show, with my piece "Convergence" (upper left)

Juror David Lambert and me in front of Convergence

Going to the Circus

My third piece, "March Madness," did not win an award. Glad it was there though, as it received lots of attention and comments. People either loved it or hated it! In general, the high school and college kids really liked it (REALLY liked it), a few older people too, but mostly the middle aged to older conservative crowd strongly disliked it. Thought it was scary! Haha. Awesome! This is great news. If I don't get a reaction, be it positive or negative, I don't feel like I have done my job! I mentioned to one naysayer who was on the exhibition committee that this piece was going back on my kitchen wall. She said, "I bet your wife hates that!" I said, "I have not been married for some time now." She said, "thats probably why she left!" Thats what I'm talking about. I can tell you this, I sure as hell did not paint this for a middle aged conservative to hang in his or her kitchen:)

March Madness

All in all, a pretty nice show this year. Lots of cool stuff from some great regional artists. Here are a few more picts. 

Second place in the 3D division, "Peacock" by Bonnie Renfroe

cool stuff

Super awesome and nationally known photographer Lelanie Salter viewing some art including Libby Pollard's piece on the left, which sold, and my "March Madness" on right. 

Some viewers including my high school art teacher Nelle Elam from 30 years ago (far right, back to camera). She is going strong at 80 years old and still a driving force in our local arts scene!

Art!

More art!

More art!

Mark Brown, art professor at Jones Community College and creator of awesome sculptures!

Another Mark Brown creation! 

Jeremy, Paul Buckley and Libby Pollard. Paul's awesome cool sculpture in on the right!

This year's award winners are listed below. Congrats to all who were accepted into the show and to the award winners! In addition to these award winners, many of the artists sold their works. Great day for pretty much everyone. 

• 2014 CDAF Juried Art Award Winners 
• Best of Show: Joe MacGown - Convergence
• 1st Place Painting/Drawing: Joe MacGown - Convergence
• 1st place Photography: Suzanne McClain - Little Wing 
• 1st place 3-D/Mixed Media: Mark Brown – Bust 12
• 2nd Place Painting/Drawing: Mary Parker Buckley – Water Poetry
• 2nd Place Photography: Jonathan Feng – Pokerface 
• 2nd Place 3-D/Mixed Media: Bonnie Renfroe – Peacock
• Merit Award Winners $200 (5) 
• Mike Box – Farm Eggs (Painting) 
• Jonathan Feng – Rain on Me (Photography)
• Bessie Johnson – Breaking Waves Vase (3-D/Mixed Media)
• Barbara Parrish – The Relationship (Painting/Drawing)
• Wanda Hurt Warren – Mulvihill (Painting/Drawing)
• Merit Award Winners $100 (6) 
• Luanne Blankenship – Free Range Child (Photography)
• Luanne Blankenship – Sweet Golden (3-D/Mixed Media)
• Mark Brown – Chain Bust (3-D/Mixed Media)
• Jonathan Feng – Stalker (Photography)
• Joe MacGown – Going to the Circus (Painting/Drawing)
• Wanda Hurt Warren – Georgia (Painting/Drawing)

Cotton DIstrict Arts Festival Coming up on April 12th, 2014

Yet another year has passed, and here we are again, another Cotton District Arts Festival in the Cotton District of Starkville, MS. This is a great festival with music, food, art, a 5k run and more. As always, thanks to Dan Camp who originally got this wonderful festival going and still allows the Starkville Area Arts Council to host it in his Cotton District neighborhood, arguably the only progressive neighborhood in Starkville. Of course, for me, the highlights are usually the 5k run, which I typically do with my son Joseph (last year he was the overall winner and I was the 2nd overall male), and the Juried Art Exhibition. 

The juried exhibition is open to regional artists over the age of 18 and is judged by a different juror each year. This year's juror is David Lambert (davidlambert.com), a unique artist who's art has been described as surrealism, pop art, and expressionism. This guy has some nice credentials including being the former vice president of Bryant Gallery in Jackson, MS and the current Gallery Director of Michalopoulos Gallery in New Orleans, LA. In case you don't know, Bryant Gallery, which I don't believe is still around, was pretty much the only serious gallery in Mississippi. But, anyway, yeah, this trippy painter guy knows his art! This show has been pretty good to me over the last few years, as I have won Best of Show or the equivalent a few times, and/or other prizes. Last year was another super good year for me, and I won Best of Show with my piece entitled "Cancer" and also sold another piece entitled "Mayan Awakening!" 

Mayan Awakening

Cancer

Of course, being accepted in the show is not a given, so I was quite pleased to learn that all three of the pieces that I entered this year were accepted in the show. I don't know how I will fair, but at the very least, I will have some weird art on display including  "Convergence," "March Madness," and "Going to the Circus."  I feel like all threes are strong, with "Convergence" being the strongest (in my opinion). I generally try to enter quality pieces in this show, and try to have something slightly different each year. The awards for this exhibition will be held in the Visuals Arts Building on University Drive at 9:30 AM. If you are in the area, please come by and view all of the works in the show, which will be on display until 4 PM that day! 

Convergence

March Madness

Going to the Circus

Mississippi State University Art Department Faculty Exhibition

Lots going on in Starkville today and this weekend. Unfortunately, I could not attend everything. Missed the Othello production being put on by the American Shakespeare Company at Lee Hall. This was part of the MSU Lyceum Series, which always brings in amazing production be it dance, theater, musical, or otherwise.

Beginning tonight and running through Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday night is the Magnolia Independent Film Festival hosted at Hollywood Premiere Cinemas here in Starkville. This is a really cool deal if you enjoy seeing independent films. I do. I basically find mainstream movies to be about as interesting as mainstream music, and that is not saying a lot. The only thing that I enjoy from a typical box office movie is action and cool special effects. Not saying those two things don't have merit, but wouldn't it be nice if just now and then the big studios actually produced a movie that was original? Ok, maybe once in a while, but its rare. However, these independent film festivals showcase a wide variety of films of varying lengths. I don't like all of them, but do appreciate their uniqueness. Go if you can. Some of the movies are directed by locals, and some are by folks from all over the world. In fact, some of these movies will be later premiered at larger film festivals such as the one at Sundance. You can read more about the festival at http://magnoliafilmfest.com/.

Also happening this evening was the opening of the Mississippi State University Art Department Faculty Exhibition at the Visual Arts Center on University Drive. Our university has a pretty decent art department that has grown considerably over the last 30 years. Many of the faculty, such as Brent Funderbunk and Alex Bostic have achieved international notoriety. Others are equally talented. Joseph and I stopped by for an a hour or so to check it out.

As we were pulling in, so was Chad "the mad dog drummer" Anderson was also pulling in. Chad teaches web design, is a professional jazz drummer, and his drawings are amazing! This joker should be teaching drawing!

CHAD ANDERSON!

Well, the show was pretty small actually, and not all of the faculty appeared to have stuff in it. But, the pieces that were there were all pretty solid. Of course, Brent had one of his vibrant, heavily saturated watercolor pieces. Alex had two small oil portraits done in an interesting style. Soon Eh had two nice little ballpoint pen drawings that looked like they had been done in pencil. Of course, Robert Long had two very elegant ceramic pieces.

One of the newest faculty members, Jake Weigel, showed us a small part of a larger scale installation that he had done in Memphis. It was called Black Holes I believe. Joseph, who has already done one installation, was particularly interested in this. 

Jake Weigel

And, well, everything showed the fact that these instructors are more than qualified to teach. But, for me, Chad and Greg Martin stole the show!

Chad, who does not even teach drawing, had two of his emotive portraits of musicians in the show. One thing that made them stand out even more for me was the fact that when he does these portraits of musicians, he does them all in different styles. He finds a style that suits the individual musician's style of playing. Now that is freakin' cool. Plus, these drawings are SPECTACULAR! Of note, and like me, Chad also went to Starkville High School back in the day under the tutelage of Nelle Elam. Ah, the days of creative freedom at SHS! Incidentally, Nelle was at the show tonight. She does not appear to have aged in the last 30 years!

Professors hanging out listening to a brief gallery talk by new faculty member Jake Weigel.
Notice the portrait on the left wall by Chad Anderson

As I mentioned, Greg Martin also had a very nice piece, a large painting. This crazy music loving joker arrived at MSU from Los Angeles, and we got a good one with him. This particular painting used some iconic references well known to Mississippi. Really liked this. 

Greg Martin's painting!
Photo credit: Kamau Bostic. 

Of course, we saw quite a few people we knew. Our newest grad student in our Mississippi Entomological Museum, Sandra Schachat, stopped by for the show. Although Sandra is working on a Master's degree in entomology, she also has a degree in art history. So, obviously, she appreciates art. And, she fits right in because she not only dresses like an artist, but she is weird.

Sandra (not wanting me to take her photo) and Greg Martin

It was also good to see Caroline Cooper again. Caroline is the academics records person for the art department. Incidentally, Sandra, Greg, and Caroline were all at the Delfest last weekend! Similar tastes? Caroline, who for some reason, I did not immediately recognize at the Delfest, was some kind of awesome dancer! Girl has some moves!

Caroline Cooper!

If you missed the opening, so not despair, as the exhibition will be up until March 29th. Gallery hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM and Saturday from 2-4 PM. 

More visitors to the MacGown Studio and Delfest9 a huge success

Lucas Muniz and Ellie Baily dropped by my studio Saturday afternoon for a visit. Ellie is a junior in the art program at Mississippi State who is majoring in painting. Lucas told her about my crazy art and that he knew me. I actually met Ellie last spring when I was teaching the Entomological Illustration section of a Scientific Illustration course taught by Alex Bostic. Alex had the students come by the Entomology department over a period of about 4 weeks where I set them up in a lab with microscopes and a wide selection of insects to draw. I showed them some of my methodology for doing insect drawings, especially using ink on scratchboard. This was pretty fun, and hopefully, the students got something out of it. Ellie, at the time, was blonde with a different hairstyle, and when she showed up with her burgundy color hair on Saturday, I did not recognize her. At some point, she mentioned meeting me before, and it all returned in a flash! I must be getting old or something.

Lucas and Ellie standing beside one of my tikis

Anyway, we had a good visit. I think Ellie enjoyed viewing both my art and Joseph's. We talked about techniques, and my super easy way of doing art. Talked about creativity, and also about how sometimes some artists seem to have creative blocks. Great visit! Two really happy jokers.

Lucas and Ellie

Later that night, Joseph and I headed over to The Darkhorse Tavarn, a local hotspot for music. The 9th annual Delfest was going on tonight. This is an event aimed at raising money for the Del Rendon Foundation, the proceeds of which go to an art scholarship at MSU. Del's family and friends started this fund, and more info is available at their web site [http://www.delrendon.org/] Del Rendon, who died some 9 years back, was a local musician and artist. His band, the Puerto Rican Rum Drunks, were widely popular throughout the Southeast and Del was something of an icon. Del graduated from the art program at MSU and later taught for a while at Starkville High School, where he promoted the idea of originality and creativity, as well as excellence. His departure from teaching there was unfortunate, because he was able to push students to bring out their own particular style in creating art. Since then, the artwork produced there has lost this element of creativity and uniqueness, and has become stale and carbon copy. I have noticed this trend at this school and many others, where students learn to draw still lifes and portraits (especially with graphite and charcoal media) in a polished and textbook method. Great execution and technical expertise. Unfortunately, every single drawing project that I have seen come out of the school in recent years looks as though it was done by the same person. Great technique is nice, but it is not art. It is necessary, but should only be at most a starting point for artists. I don't want to see a super exact looking portrait or still life drawing. Hell, I have a camera and take a picture of that, and is super easy to draw this way too. No, instead,  I want to see how a particular artist interprets those subjects. I want to see the artists' emotional struggles reflected in the way they create, the colors they choose, the way in which they view the subject, the way in which they apply the media, and....well, you get the idea.  So, yes, it was a sad day when Del left the art program at Starkville High. But, really, it was in his music where Del truly shined! He wrote his own lyrics and performed with amazing musicians. Their live concerts were crazy, mesmerizing jam sessions that left the audience in a daze. The day when Del Rendon left us was indeed a sad day. He positively affected the lives of many people.

As far as the scholarship goes, you have to be a current freshman or junior in the art program at MSU to apply for this awesome scholarship. This requirement was unfortunate for Joseph, who just graduated high school in December, and will not be starting school until the fall. MSU is one of several schools he has been thinking about, and with his diverse mix of musical, writing, and artistic talents, he would have been an ideal candidate for this particular award. I say that, because I knew Del very well, having grown up with him here. We were great friends, especially from 6th grade through high school, but also kept in contact throughout the later years. We did artwork together and later even played guitar together. For Del, art was inseparable from music, and this scholarship is geared toward that type of student (at least I hope it is). This year's winner was Keats Haupt of Starkville, a freshman in art at MSU. Interestingly, her dad is a professor and painting emphasis coordinator in the art department here at MSU. Guess its in the genes!

Andrew Rendon with Keats Haupt (center) and MSU Art Dept. Head Jamie Mixon (right). 

Man! The bands were awesome!  It was super interesting to see the folks who came out for this event. They ranged from somewhat conservation local business owners to trippy longhaired bearded dudes who looked like they just stepped out of the 60's! Cool night. Awesome music blaring. People of all ages dancing, swaying, or just bobbing their heads as they enjoyed the tunes. We hung around for a few hours before finally heading home.