I would like to announce a show at Byrneboehm Gallery that features recent Kendall graduate and friend of mine, Greg Oberle, along with current Kendall student, Taylor Mazer. The show, titled Colluvium, opens (softly) tonight, with an artists' reception taking place this Friday at 6 p.m. I am familiar with Byrneboehm Gallery, and understand that many talented Kendall students and graduates have had the opportunity to show works there from time to time. However, I was curious as to how Greg collaborated with Mazer to co-curate this particular show, which features ink drawings, illustrations, and paintings. Greg said of their joint effort, "I think we were dealing with a similar psychology in what we're trying to demonstrate."

Greg explains his work as being derived from previous thoughts or memories, which may have become unclear over the years. He says of his work, "I've been thinking about the architecture of thoughts."

After receiving his degree in Illustration last summer, Greg has illustrated and designed for several clients in and around Grand Rapids. He has even submitted illustrations for the Observatory (i.e. my Observing Artprize self-portrait). I hope to include more of his work in future posts.

Greg has expressed how working artists make a living by using their creativity, but can sometimes be stifled by the demands of the work, client, need, problem, etc. Fortunately, he has found a sense of creative freedom in the works he will be showing at Byrneboehm. He said of this freedom, "I had no limits in the terms of what I could create."

I am happy that Keven Boehm, of Byrneboehm, has invited these two artists to show their works at the gallery, starting today and showing through February 29th, with an artists' reception at the end of this week. Greg will be showing a total of nine canvases. Taylor, 12. I look forward to visiting Byrneboehm in the next month to see what these two gentleman have created for this particular show.

There is much ado about illustration this month at Kendall. Since the 9th of January, Original Art, has been showing in the Kendall Gallery. The show features works from 40 artists. Among them are Wendell Minor (Wendell spoke at the gallery earlier today), C.F. Payne, Mary GrandPré, and last year's Caldecott winner, Erin Stead. Originating from the Society of Illustrators in New York, the show has made its way to Kendall, and will be up until February 4th. Visitors are welcome to see the fine illustrations, as well as sit and read a collection of children's books that feature the very works they came to see. KCAD Director of Exhibitions, Sarah Joseph, says of the show: "I've enjoyed seeing a variety of people interact with the show, both by viewing the pieces on the wall and by spending time in our 'reading nook' poring over the books that came with the exhibition. Not only do they get to read the stories, but they have the chance to see all of the illustrations for each of the books."

It has been exciting to see such an elaborate, inclusive illustration show at Kendall, but the well-known illustrators aren't the only ones with works in our gallery; the Student Gallery also features the works of both current and past illustration students. Joseph says of the student show: "We've included works that have been published as well as projects from the Children's Book Illustration class. Professor Molly Alicki Corriveau did a great job of curating the exhibition." The student show wraps up this Saturday. I encourage everyone to visit the galleries before these shows close.

Friend, Graduate, and One of Two Featured in Local Show

January Illustrated