How to Go:
What: 20th Annual International
Colored Pencil Exhibition
Where: The Carnegie
Covington, Kentucky
When: Continues through Aug. 30
Cost: Free
Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon-Fri
noon to 3 p.m. Saturday
More Info: (859) 491-2030
www.thecarnegie.com
www.cpsa.org
For the past 20 years, the Colored Pencil Society of America’s international exhibit has been shown in several large city venues throughout the United States. The closest it’s come to the Dayton area was back in 1995 when it was shown in Cleveland. But this year you can drive through downtown Cincinnati and cross the Ohio River to Covington for a look-see at what’s happening with colored pencil art.
“I have seen very nice color pencil works of art over the years, but only in a limited amount,” said Bill Seitz, gallery director. “It was not until I was approached by CPSA that a new door was opened to the incredible world of artists who work in this medium. I found myself looking closely to make sure I was not examining a photograph or a painting.”
Fifteen of the 121 colored pencil artists hail from Ohio. One, in fact, lives in Dayton. Thomas Kinarney is showing a 16 x 22 work titled “Breaking the Ice.”
“A lot of us grew up with a pencil in our hand,” said Kinarney, who teaches drawing at the Fairborn Art Association, Rosewood Arts Centre and the Vandalia Senior Center. “For me, I have more control and get exactly the result I want with a pencil. You get this soft, beautiful blending with a slight graininess.”
Other Ohio artists in the exhibit are: Jeff Acus, Robert Keller, Donna Schwarz, and Sandra Vaughn from Cincinnati; Cecile Baird of Hillsboro; Rhonda Bartoe of Gahanna; Barbara Byram of Parma; Marsha Gilger of Doylestown; Margaret Hopkins of Milford; Amy Lindenberger and Lee Ann Novotny of North Canton; Cheryl Metzger of Felicity; Terry Sciko of Macedonia; and John Smolko of Kent.
“As a juror, you never know what you will see as you start the process of reviewing the wide array of paintings that awaits with each click of the mouse,” said juror Jamie Markle of F & W Media in Cincinnati. “The process is exciting, sometimes humorous, and always surprising to see what comes of the observations and imaginations of artists. The final joy comes from seeing the work in person.”
Other joys to view were: “Crystal #23, a Toast to Pop” by Carol Scott of Louisiana; “Fresh Eggs” by Eileen Nistler of Wyoming; “The Wrong One,” a lipstick-smooched frog by Janie Mork of Minnesota; and “Sweet Seduction,” a work that won the Expy Best of Show and Prismacolor Award. It’s a silver bowl of sumptuous red grapes reflecting the suns rays through a window by Linda Hardy of Texas.
“The Carnegie is thrilled to be hosting the CPSA 20th Anniversary Exhibition,” said Seitz. “Patrons and guests who visit this special show will be in for a treat. I promise you will fall in love with something, if not everything.”
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