Ocala-area artists go “Down the Rabbit Hole”
Members of Artist-Alley will have a unique exhibit on display at The Brick, beginning with an opening reception on March 6.
“Always Something,” by Bonnie Eads. [Photo courtesy of the artist]
A group of talented local artists recently colored outside the lines to creative imaginative works of art inspired by “Alice in Wonderland.”
An opening reception for the “Down the Rabbit Hole” exhibit, which features works by members of the Artist-Alley group, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the Marion Cultural Alliance’s Brick City Center for the Arts in downtown Ocala. The city’s monthly First Friday Art Walk also will take place that evening.
According to the MCA Facebook page, “Inspired by the whimsical spirit of ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ this exhibition invites visitors to explore surreal landscapes, curious characters and dreamlike perspectives that blur the line between fantasy and reality. ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ showcases a diverse collection of nine creative voices, each offering their own unique interpretation of the theme.
The featured artists are Bonnie Eads, Lisa Russo, Sue Primeau, Margaret “Peggy” Watts, Rich Woy, Diane Pribisco, Grace Senior Morandi, Peter Else and Judy Green.
Eads is originally from Tennessee but has lived in Ocala for quite some time. According to her website, she “enjoys the watercolor medium for its transparency and wonderful effect of layering.”
“While my work typically features realistic watercolors, I enjoyed exploring a different approach for the ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ exhibit,” she said via email.
She noted that for her piece called “Always Something,” she used acrylics “to capture a playful view of the antics occurring within a rabbit hole. Additionally, in ‘Above Reality,’ I focused on painting horses within the clouds, where several images seemed to emerge naturally on their own during the process,” she shared.
[Photo courtesy of the artist]
Watts is very well known locally and has built a career on portraits, landscapes and historic scenes.
“I will have four pieces, all requiring thought as to the subject of the show title. The largest work is ‘Scott Springs,’ a city park, showing a cave and spring. Another is a portrait of a boy entitled ‘Contemplation,’ she noted via an email message, which she explained was short due to being “in recovery from broken hand.”
[Photo courtesy of the artist]
Watts and Eads both have been involved in the MCA’s signature public art project known as Horse Fever, which has had several incarnations, all of which involve artists painting life-size equine statues that can be seen all over Marion County.
Morandi, who was born in in Columbia, South America, won her first national art contest at the age of 13. She has studied with art instructors in South America, Europe, Mexico and the U.S. Her artwork is displayed in private collections in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Greece, Panama, Puerto Rico, India, Scotland and Spain.
She noted via email that she is, “not a very realistic painter, but I keep some realism in creating my compositions. I understand art as the expression of my inner feelings, not simply a copy of existing objects. Art is a way of transforming objects into feelings, and color can express moods and emotions.”
[Photo courtesy of the artist]
Russo, who also has participated in the Horse Fever project, is a teacher at Belleview High School and art educator at the Appleton Museum of Art. She describes herself as a contemporary artist in the traditional style.
She said via email that “Down the Rabbit Hole,” is “about us experimenting and letting go of our preconceived views of how we create and letting the creative process unfold.”
[Photo courtesy of the artist]
Green, who retired after 25 years with “New York Times” properties in Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida, enjoys creating art projects using photography and mixed media. She is a member of a number of art and civic groups and holds numerous art and photography honors. She has had one-woman shows in Corinth, Mississippi and in Ocala.
“Photography as an art medium is a challenge. With new technology, everybody is a photographer. If gifted with ‘the eye’ to see the photograph as you know it can be, be thankful. To capture the unique is a blessing. Be crafty. Let the light lead you. Take a risk. Keep a few secrets to yourself,” she said in her “Down the Rabbit Hole” artist statement.
Her exhibit entry titled “The Rabbit Hole is Life” is a mixed media piece of glossy magazine paper cuts with acrylic on canvas. “Not Always As It Seems” is a digital photography piece showing “extra virgin olive oil on merlot.”
[Photo courtesy of the artist]
Primeau said in an email message that since childhood she has had a passion to paint and draw. She became hooked on watercolor, mesmerized by its challenges and incredible beauty, some 35 years ago. She explores its use with collage, thread and other materials that spark inspiration. As a watercolor instructor locally and leading art travel adventures abroad, she finds joy exploring the medium through the eyes of her students and excitement with each person’s growth.
Linda Harlow, the longtime leader of the Artist-Alley group, passed away on Jan. 25.
leader of Artist-Alley.
[Photo by Albert Sanowskis]
Her obituary online noted that she served as chairman of the Marion Cultural Alliance.
“A gifted painter, Linda received numerous awards for her work and quietly donated all proceeds from her personal art sales to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She also painted anonymous ‘fallen soldiers’ portraits, gifting them to families with deep compassion and respect,” it states.
“As for Linda Harlow, she was and is the glue that keeps Artist-Alley together. She was the creator of the Artist-Alley storefront in downtown Ocala, until rents became burdensome. At that point, Linda and the exhibiting artists decided to remain together as a group, seeking venues locally and elsewhere in the state to exhibit artworks collectively. It has been many years since closing the storefront, and the group continues to meet throughout the year to plan and discuss direction, themes, new members and venues,” Primeau explained. “Linda was a quiet philanthropist and an avid supporter and creator of art. We are honored to have had her sense of humor and business acumen to guide us all these years.”
The Brick City Center for the Arts is located at 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala. “Down the Rabbit Hole” will be on exhibit from March 6-27.
To learn more, go to mcaocala.org
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