The Iola Public Library displayed artworks from some of Iola’s best homegrown artists Saturday in a meet-and-greet style exhibit.
Scott Renyer took a photograph of the Downdraft carnival ride in action during Farm City Days. The result was a sci-fi-type masterpiece. He uses five second exposure and a bulb with a wireless remote. The shots are not timed and he relies on his intuition, he said.
“I like the way the lights burned into the image,” he said. “I like the way the colors changed on the ride.”
Renyer’s interest in photography began over 35 years ago and he said he has too taken too many photos to have a favorite. He is working on getting his artwork exhibited in Topeka.
Anyone interested in viewing or purchasing any of his unique photographs should call Flatlands Photography at 620-228-2740.
LOIS Brueseke exhibited two of her finest pastels portraying scenes from the Manhattan area.
“I actually grew up around Manhattan, the foothills,” she said.
She spent a weekend with her daughter, Brenda Nelson, driving around her old stomping ground and taking photos. She then turned those rolling hills into permanent chalked memories.
Brueseke takes classes in Chanute with art teacher Steve Greenwall, she said. Some of her work was exhibited at the Arts Rolla gallery in Rolla, Missouri, and more recently in Chanute. She is working toward having her pastels displayed at more exhibits and is not opposed to selling her art.
“If I could find somebody who wants to buy it,” she said modestly.
Anyone interested in viewing or purchasing any of her artwork should call 620-228-0145.
ANGIE Whitmore leads a simple but fun community painting and wine event through Humanity House Foundation, “Vino Need No Stinkin Brushes.” She brought two paintings to the library exhibit. One painting depicting a “voodoo” doll, a Virgin Mary, rosary beads and a hat was a self-portrait, she said.
“My self-portraits are very abstract.”
Whitmore said painting is a hobby for right now, but she does conduct classes for kids’ parties and bridal and baby showers. The parties are similar to what she does for Humanity House.
Anyone interested in hiring Whitmore can contact her at 620-228-7599 or at her Facebook page, AngieWhitmoreArt.
ARTISTRY runs in Clarie Moran’s family. Both her and her brother Ryan had artwork exhibited in Saturday’s event. Clarie showed an oil painting that depicted a close-up version of bacon frying in a cast iron skillet. She is a freshman at Allen Community College, studying art, and she will be transferring to Emporia State, where Ryan studies painting.
One of her senior year water-color paintings, Chinatown, and one of Ryan’s works, can be found hanging at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. Ryan’s work is also exhibited at the Strecker Nelson West Gallery in Manhattan.
“I think definitely if (Ryan) had not been so involved in art I don’t know that I would be,” Clarie said.
Her great -aunt, Cecelia Orcutt, and her great-uncle, Steve Orcutt were both art teachers in Iola.
LANE Roloff exhibited a date night anime and manga animation sketch. He recently discovered his talent to produce etchings in the Japanese cartoon style. This is the first time his work has been exhibited. An unfortunate incident caused him to bring only one piece.
“I hoped to enter another one but my dog (Mia) destroyed it,” he said.
Roloff is home schooled and works for the Iola Register. What started out as an interest has evolved into a hope for his future. He wants to work for a Japanese art company after he finishes school.
“I wish my dog would stop eating my art,” he said.
TOM Ellis displayed two of his oil paintings from a series called “Out of Bounds.”
“I don’t want anyone to know exactly what they mean,” he said. “I want them to bring their own imagination to the picture.”
Ellis said the series of abstract art focuses on beauty and after that there are no rules.
His artwork starts at $30 for a 8” by 11” and each one is hand signed. Ellis has exhibited his work in Los Angeles and at the Bowlus.
Anyone interested in viewing or purchasing any of his artwork can call 333- 377-1212 or view his Facebook page, TomEllis/artist/los angeles/newyork/Kansas.
