Organic Translations

Start date: Friday, January 4, 2008
Event is ongoing: Until Wednesday, January 30, 2008

An old adage we used to hear was “Those who can, do and those who can’t, teach.”

“Those who teach…CAN" This became our mantra shortly after meeting each other while teaching at Mansfield High School. And even though we each showed work as part of Mansfield I.S.D.'s art shows, this is our first time to really put that mantra to a test.

Since we are in the business of guiding fledgling artists we need to prove to ourselves and them that we are artists. Instead of saying ‘I used to paint or draw or sculpt’ we are allowing our students to see a very private part of our lives. Creating art is one of the most personal and private things we do and showing it is similar to bearing your soul.

Those who teach…CAN The media of choice, for each of us, is an organic material. What better way to show off the amazing qualities of these media than by forming it into organic forms? Nature is an important part of each of our lives and we've each grown to love the organic forms found everywhere around us. This is our interpretation of those forms translated into our respected media.

Bio Kim Lovelace

BFA for Texas Christian University; Taught at Mansfield High School 13 years; Department Chair for 7 years; Mansfield ISD distinguished Educator for 4 years

One thing that continues to interest me is aboriginal man’s migratory habits and his/her presence in the grand scheme of things. Through my art I try to express the essence of this spirituality by taking natural materials and manipulating them to fit some need or function. In the initial stages of these pieces the function may be a concept or something in the subconscious. By creating ritualistic qualities when I make the pieces I hope to tap into the idea or underlying theme that these ancient cultures tapped into to make their ceremonial or everyday tools and artifacts. Most of our knowledge of these ancient cultures comes from their permanent objects that can withstand the test of time. Since my pieces are earthbound its important for them to create an environment to exist in. This is one avenue that I seem repeatedly drawn to. In combating this issue I must also deal with the fragile nature of pieces and their inability to withstand the elements. In a sense the return from which they came. - Kim Lovelace

Bio Patti Beck BFA from University of Texas at Arlington; MFA from Texas Womans' University; Taught for 28 years in Texas public school systems; Taught art classes at Victoria Community College, and Weatherford College; Teach Art Education at University of Texas at Arlington; Mansfield ISD distinguished Educator; Served as juror for Visual Arts Scholastic Events all over Texas

Information from the center's site