Saturday, October 30th, was a big event for Tore Bellis and me. It was the opening reception for two art exhibits at the Grand Theater in Lewisville, Texas.
This is the first opening reception we’ve attended and it’s the first time we’ve had art displayed in the main Gallery.
It’s also been quite a challenge keeping our art under wraps because our concepts are something to… behold.
Tore gets full credit for the concept of using a phone for our Call of the Wild submissions. I had my heart set on this specific style of rotary phone, which we found at an antique store. Let this be a lesson. Save your “useless” items so I can use them as props.
Main Gallery: Call of the Wild
Poodle Receives a Call from the Wild by Tore Bellis
Artist’s Statement: The wild may call at any time, no matter how refined you are.
Notes: Tore took this photo in historic downtown Lewisville. The background is a mural on the side of a building. Bokeh can create very deceiving effects!
During the reception we spotted someone taking a selfie with this photo. We’ve done the same thing when we go to galleries on Dragon Street. It’s quite a different experience to see others doing it with our creations.
Business Poodle Takes a Call by Tore Bellis
Artist’s Statement: Dog eat dog, or coolly professional the call of the wild is waiting on line 2.
Business is a Jungle by Tore Bellis
Artist’s Statement: Business is a jungle, and it’s wild out there.
Your car warranty is about to expire, by Denise Holguin
Artist’s Statement: A rare and intimate glimpse of an anthropomorphic bear in his natural environment.
Notes: It’s best to read the artist’s statement with a National Geographic type of voice. Go ahead and reread it for the full experience. By the way, did you know your car warranty is about to expire? Give Bear a call. He works on commission only and really needs the business.
Let’s Eat, by Denise Holguin
Artist’s Statement: The imagery can be perceived as cruel and inelegant yet vital and beautiful at the same time.
Notes: With a theme like call of the wild, a spider is a mandatory submission from me!
Where the Wild Things Unwind by Denise Holguin
Artist’s Statement: Diverse members of the animal kingdom gather together for respite.
Notes: We took this photo in downtown historic Lewisville, across the street from the Grand Theater. I used a timer on my Canon and activated the shutter with my iPhone. Can’t do that with a rotary phone!
For most of the photos I was the poodle, but for the last two shots I suggested Tore wear the poodle mask and I wear the bear mask. It turns out Tore makes a great poodle and I’m a good bear!
This piece made the “Judge’s Notables” list! I’m one of 5 individuals in this event to receive this distinction. It is for sale if anyone is interested in purchasing a Judge’s Notable piece of art.
North Corridor: Day of the Dead
Mourning a Cicada by Denise Holguin
It’s not every day you see two people mourning the death of a cicada. But if you go to the Grand Theater in Lewisville, you too can see the emotional display.
Funeral for a Beetle by Denise Holguin
You’d expect to see the elaborate and formal gold frame paired with an oil painting. Yet here it is—paired with a somber image of a funeral… for a beetle. I love the absurdity.
When we arrived at the Grand Theater there were two women who stopped and looked at the two funeral photos. I stood nearby, hoping they wouldn’t insult my work. Far from it. They looked closely at them. Then one pulled out her phone and took a picture of Funeral for a Beetle. I couldn’t resist. I approached her and told her she had no idea how happy she made me. We had a wonderful chat and I learned why she related to the photos. Her granddaughter has similar taste in art and her grandson had a funeral for a butterfly. He even told the attendees when to cry.
Tribute to a Bird by Denise Holguin
I had disqualified this photo as a submission a few weeks before the deadline. I told Tore that it was likely too macabre for the world even though it has its artistic merits. But after attending a very humorous and inspiring presentation by artist, Justine Wollaston during a VAL meeting, I decided to submit the piece. So if you don’t like it, blame her! Just kidding. Just keep on scrolling or walking.
The photo was taken at night in my porch. It is not a black and white photo. The lighting created an almost silvery effect without any Photoshop intervention. The silver frame enhances the look.
In conclusion: The piece has artistic merits despite the subject matter. It’s also available for purchase – wouldn’t it look great in your home?
Make plans to visit our art in person. They are each a labor of love and a whole lot of crazy. You can also see other interpretations of the same themes by other members of the Visual Art League of Lewisville. Oil, acrylics, charcoal, collage, encaustic and even bones are on display.
Looking for the perfect gift? Tore and I are selling each of our pieces. Tore’s Business Poodle photos would make the perfect conversation pieces in an office. Where the Wild Things Unwind belongs in a school library. Take a closer look. Poodle is reading a popular children’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are” and children need to learn about ancient times when rotary phones were used. Your purchase will support two artists who enjoy making art just for the sake of art but who also could use more props and other supplies.
Exhibition Dates: October 30 – November 27
Location:
Grand Theater
100 N. Charles Street
Lewisville, TX 75057
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
Free Parking & Admission
Upcoming Exhibitions:
Theme: Holiday Magic
Exhibition Dates: November 2 – December 31
I’d tell you more but even I don’t know what I’m submitting yet… (the deadline is tomorrow!)
big bertha's adventures 