'Birds, Bugs and Beasts'...oh my
Dani Minehart
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: The Edge
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The three men are participating in the "Birds, Bugs and Beasts" art show at the Western Illinois University Art Gallery and illustrate just what they can do with an idea, a blank canvas and their own set of tools. Barnes is a professor of art and the head of the printmaking program at Northern Illinois University in De Kalb. Olson is the assistant director at the Northern Illinois University Art Gallery. Peck is an art instructor at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Ill. They are all showing multiple pieces of their incredible artwork at Western.
The "Birds, Bugs and Beasts" art show displays drawings and prints that coincide with Western's theme of global changes, personal responsibility and environmental sustainability. The men each have a distinct set of artwork related to the environment.
Associate Professor of art Jenny Knavel recommended them all to the University Art Gallery as marvelous pieces to add to the exhibit. The artists selected the pieces of work they wanted to showcase.
"They had an idea of what they wanted to have," said John Graham, director of exhibits.
Barnes is nationally recognized for his eye-catching works of art that depict strange, disproportionate fantasy beasts. The deformity of the man in the print catches your eye and demands that your brain figure out an explanation of what is in front of you. He also has prints of shocking plants he invented himself. Barnes said he allows his ideas to flow from his subconscious mind.
Peck also shows some outstanding work.
His artwork consists of beetles that literally pop out at you. They are drawn out and strategically placed on game boards such as Monopoly and chess, which makes it very interesting to look at his different pieces. Peck even has real beetles strategically set up in different positions inside a glass case.
Olson, on the other hand, draws many stunning birds according to the month they are in. On each canvas next to the bird, he lists what kind of bird it is and gives other facts about them as well.
Olson travels the country to experience and enjoy more bird watching. After he observes the birds, he forms ideas for his next set of artwork.
There is a little bit of everything for anyone to enjoy. If you would like to take a peek at the environmental art, visit the Art Gallery before March 6.
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