Oh, Really… The ART of Realism

Artspace introduces their latest exhibition, “oh, really…” featuring the artworks of three prominent, professional female artists well-known for their work in the Art of Realism - Laura Harter, Talbot Hopkins and Phyllis Pease. 

The Exhibition will open on Friday, May 20th at 5:30 pm with a reception for the public to meet the artists.  artspace will provide hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.  Complimentary parking is available at the Blue Scroll Mural Lot at the corner of Texas and Common Streets.  Admission for the event is $10 at the door.

The exhibition will feature paintings and multi-media artworks by the featured artists in the Art style of Realism.  Realism is a movement that began in the mid-19th century and was sparked by the introduction of photography, the development of new technologies in architecture and design, and the new found interest and knowledge of the properties of light.  It depicts life precisely as it exists without emotional embellishment or interpretation.  It is the aim of Realist painters to use nature and life as it truly is for all inspiration.  Art is to be the epitome of objective reality.  Realist painters try their utmost to create paintings that are as true to life as possible.

FEATURED ARTISTS

LAURA HARTER - Laura Harter has been actively painting since the early 1980’s as a member of “At The Loft” with other prestigious artists such as Clyde Connell.  She earned her MFA from Texas Christian University and her paintings and mixed-media art have been shown in galleries in Texas and Louisiana.  Harter's subject matter for her work is the difference between perception and reality in modern domestic life. Her paintings offer a witty take on the role of women. Currently she is working to balance her creative energy with the needs of raising a family.

Regarding this exhibition Laura shared, “I enjoyed working with mixed media for this exhibit.  I like the concept of realism and that it is flexible because everyone brings their experiential level to the viewer and that’s how they interpret the work.  For these new pieces, I’ve been working more experimentally and graphically with paintings and drawings.”

PHYLLIS PEASE - Kansas native, Phyllis Pease began her career in the Arts as a Graphic Design Artist, earning a BFA from Kansas State University. During a six-year stint in Shreveport, she met Laura Harter while working as a freelance designer for Kalmback Advertising, launching a longtime friendship.  Since re-establising her residence in Kansas, Phyllis has created a studio in her home and held several shows in regional galleries, including the Strecker-Nelson gallery in Manhattan, Kansas, and a show in Kansas City at the BNIM architectural firm.  Her work includes commissioned paintings, furniture and restaurant designs.

Regarding her artwork featured in “oh, really…” Phyllis shares, “My paintings for this show were inspired by 1950's maidenform ads.  As with my other paintings I am inspired by vintage images and love the ones that make me smile; plus it is great to take b/w images and create large color paintings. This series I named "Fabulous bumps."  I thought the ads were quite saucy for the 50's and the whole concept of the advertising campaign was hilarious. Women's breasts have been squished and pushed into all kinds of shapes and sizes to fit fashion whims.”  

TALBOT HOPKINS - Talbot Hopkins has been drawing and painting commissioned portraits for over twenty-five years. She studied art at the University of Texas and taught herself portraiture through detailed analysis of portraits by painters such as Caroline Compton.  Beginning her career with works in pencil, Talbot has mastered the media of watercolor, pastel, conte' crayon, and oil. In recent years she has worked mostly in oil and pencil.  She has had shows in Shreveport-area galleries that include artspace, Artport and Meadows Museum.  Her commissioned portraits are found in collectors' homes in Washington, DC, Seattle, Houston, New Orleans and Louisville.  Her recent work includes oil still lifes, oil portraits and monochromatic oil portraits, which are an adventure for her.

Talbot’s favorite subject is her son, Jett, who she has captured at age 8 and age 13.  Audiences relate to the change in attitude portrayed in these two portraits. Another portrait included in the show is of step-granddaughter Nanette Mae Kawanaka.   Also included is an unusual self-portrait of Talbot, captured while in carnival face paint. 

The exhibition will be open through July 30th and is free for the public during normal business hours.  artspace, a project of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, is located at 710 Texas Street in Downtown Shreveport.  For more information on artspace visit our website at www.artspace Shreveport.com 

giftspace Featured Artist

Each month giftspace features a local artist whose artworks are showcased in the giftshop at artspace.   For the month of May, giftspace features Karen Johnson.  Karen’s textual creations utilize anti-fungal wool to enhance functional pieces. A favorite item in the giftshop is her $10 moisturizing soaps, wrapped in softly spun, naturally anti-fungal wool to create an exfoliating, fragrantly lathering, long-lasting bathtime indulgence.  For more on Karen Johnson and other giftspace artists and artworks visit the artspace website at www.artspace Shreveport.com.

OPPORTUNITIES

Family Fun Saturdays:  Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm are designed to engage families in learning through the arts while having fun.  Professional artists are on hand to teach a number of artistic activities that engage children in learning.  Activities during this exhibition are designed to teach families about the History of Realism and artists throughout history who have used this artform.    artspace continues to partner with the Shreve Memorial Library’s Main Branch to provide a satellite library where children can engage in reading while visiting the Anderson Family Fun-A-Torium at artspace. Cost for participating in Family Fun Saturdays is $7 for children and Free for adults.

Field Trips and Educational Tours:  Schools, community centers, daycare groups, etc. are invited to schedule an educational tour or two-hour field trip, where they will receive a guided tour of the exhibition and two hands-on art activities.  To schedule a tour, contact Tarama Davenport at (318) 673-6500 or email to tarama@shrevearts.org.  Tours are $7 person or $6 person for groups of 20 or more.