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Madison Art Club

Local artists to present
‘Colors in Bloom’ exhibit

By Laurel Sparks
Contributing Writer


(April 2005) – The famed French painter Renoir believed that art should be attractive and optimistic. His “Spring Bouquet” (1866) is one of the world’s best-loved floral paintings. In the spirit of Renoir, members of the Madison Art Club in April plan to celebrate spring by featuring their own floral artwork at their gallery on Main Street.
The exhibit will run throughout the month. It has been planned to complement the annual spring garden tour, “Madison in Bloom,” sponsored by the Jefferson County Historical Society. The art club’s show will end on Sunday, May 1, following the first weekend of the garden tour.

Dottie Shepherd

Photo by Debra Maylum

Dottie Shepherd arranges the centerpiece for the April art show titled “Colors in Bloom” at the Madison Art Gallery.

Many traditional spring bouquets are featured in the exhibit, though “Colors in Bloom” presents several pictures of flowers from the garden or in the wild. There is also one brightly-colored oil painting showing only a single bloom. This is Hal Davis’s contribution.
Last year Davis’ series of individual roses in bloom became well-known locally. Having heard about Davis’ unique florals, a daylily hybridizer in Michigan City, Ind., commissioned Davis to paint a series of individual lilies. Now the colorful daylilies are becoming something of a trademark for him. He especially enjoys painting these flowers because their deep throats allow him to add more depth to his canvas.
Lillie Wingham and Carolyn Lopez are two popular local artists who regularly sell floral art at the gallery. This year, Wingham, known for her versatility and skillful mix of colors, is exhibiting two works. Her oil painting of white roses in a wine-colored vase was done with a palette knife and, as she says, “from imagination.” Though Wingham generally arranges her still-life paintings carefully in advance, she says she enjoys inventing many of the florals while she is in the process of painting.
Lopez has been a member of the Madison Art Club for more than 30 years. While many people request her scenes of Madison landmarks, she says florals are her favorite paintings. She has completed 102 original “cut-always,” watercolors in which a portion of the subject is lifted over the painting’s mat. Most of the subjects are florals, including irises, pansies and peonies.
For “Colors in Bloom,” Lopez has something slightly different. Titled “Especially for You,” it depicts pink roses and lily-of-the-valley with detail in gold line. She is also exhibiting “The Yellow Rose of Madison,” showing a flower that grows in her own garden.
“Colors in Bloom” features photographs as well as paintings. Works are offered in a range of sizes, styles and prices. In addition to the featured exhibit, the gallery always displays a variety of original artwork and also sells prints, many picturing Madison area scenes.
Among the artists exhibiting in “Colors in Bloom” are Bill Borden, Kevin Carlson, Marjorie Conner, Davis, Chris Duncan, Lee Featherstone, Sally Fitch, Phillis Fultz, Stephanie Hellmann, Marguerite Ligon, Lopez, Larry Rudolech, Bob Saueressig, Phyllis Searcy, Dottie Shepherd, Elle Smith, Laurel Sparks, Karen Taylor and Wingham, Lopez and Davis.

• The Madison Art Club Gallery is located at 301 E. Main Street (across from the courthouse). Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call (812) 265-3135, ext. 251.

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