CHANUTE — At first glance, Michael Smail’s robot art looks nothing like the western-themed watercolors of his renowned grandfather, Gary Hawk.
But step back and give it some thought, and maybe you’ll start to see Hawk’s influence.
Look carefully and you’ll notice the ever-present critters — rabbits, mice, ferrets, owls, crows — interacting with robots. You might appreciate the flowers and trees weaving through the metal, or see storm clouds gathering in the background.
“Grandpa never said he was a cowboy artist. He was a rural western wildlife artist,” Smail said.
“For me, wildlife is important because it balances what I’m trying to say about technology. And by painting wildlife and nature, part of me is giving back to my grandfather.”
Smail, who lives in Overland Park with his family, grew up working by his grandfather’s side. The only thing he ever wanted to be was an artist.
The Chanute Art Gallery, 17 N. Lincoln St., is featuring Smail’s work until July 8. Smail will attend a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. on the final day of the exhibit.
AS HE prepared to display his art at the Chanute gallery, Smail decided to create a special piece for the show.
He called it “Blackbird.”
“It’s really about death and rebirth.”
Half of the robot’s head, an arm and one eye are missing. Sticks protrude from its body, while vines and flowers wind around the broken parts.
Two blackbirds perch on the robot, watching over two baby birds in a nest.
Even amid death and destruction, life endures.
He was working on the painting when his grandmother, Beverly Hawk, died on June 5. He finished the piece as he processed the loss of his second grandparent in 18 months; Gary Hawk died Jan. 1, 2022.
The loss delayed completion of the painting. Though his exhibit opened June 6, Smail wasn’t able to display “Blackbird” until Wednesday.
