Artebella On The Radio: April 15

Andy Perez is the 2021 KY Derby Poster Artists and our guest this week. Tune in to WXOX 97.1 FM, or stream on Artxfm.com each Thursday at 10 am to hear Keith Waits talk with artists.

Andy Perez is a visual artist, Illustrator, and graphic designer. Originally from Kentuckiana, he received a BFA from The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2004. He now resides in Louisville, KY with his wife and daughter.

“My work has been featured in publications and galleries across the US. I work on a variety of projects including (but not limited to) editorial, conceptual, and advertising illustration. My work is mostly executed with collage and acrylic paint, along with other mixed media.” - Andy Perez

Vignette: Margaret Bromley

"Where's the Belle?" by Margaret Bromley, Oil on Canvas, 19X30in (framed), 2017, $1000

The moment an individual begins creating is almost certainly the act of a child; picking up a crayon, or perhaps the sublime pleasure of slipping your fingers into finger paint for the first time, seeing the possibilities of line, shape, texture at its most elemental level. Pure instinct.

So many of us strive to recapture such instinctive pleasure again, after the process of becoming an “adult” has raised innumerable impediments, and it is not at all uncommon to find artists who retired from a professional career and then rediscovered that motivation to make art once again.

Margaret Bromley is just such an artist, taking her first drawing class at the local Preston Art Center in 2001, one month after retiring from the University of Louisville as its Media/Marketing Coordinator in the Development Department.

She has studied in workshops under Jerry Stitt of Sausalito, California, Nancy Nordloh Neville of Cincinnati, Ohio and went to Umbria, Italy with students under the leadership of Janice Russell Beck of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Locally she has studied with artists Susan Howe, Judy Warren, Sue Hinkebein, and Joyce Sweet-Bryant.

"Winning Trifecta?" by Margaret Bromley, Oil on canvas, 12X18in (gold leaf frame) 2009, $350

Bromley has tried her hand at many styles, techniques, and mediums, but landscapes with a natural style seem to be her strong suite. In “Where’s the Belle?” she gives us an unconventional perspective on an iconic event during one of the most festive, tourist-dominated weeks on the Louisville calendar. There is no shortage of artists painting or photographing Kentucky Derby events, horses, bourbon, and hats are common motifs - Bromley has not ignored these (“Winning Trifecta”), but there is an unexpected power in how she portrays this simple community of locals waiting to view the Belle of Louisville during the Great Steamboat Race, a signature event that takes place three days before the Most Famous Two Minutes in Sports. Far away from the concentration of fancy crowds, these ordinary Louisvillians have come down directly to the shoreline of the Ohio River to get an up close view of the old-fashioned steamboats as they move along the river. 

The unfussy approach employed by Bromley emphasizes atmosphere and a sense of place for any tendency to overwork the details. We can sense the camaraderie and easy understanding of local tradition that has brought these men together on a late spring afternoon.

Bromley has received Honorable Mentions for her work at the Kentucky State Fair on two different occasions and shows locally at Koi Gallery, Primo Oil and Vinegars’ Gallery, and has note cards at Regalo and Cartwells as well as the previous mentioned galleries.

On September 29, Bromley will be part of the Louisville Visual Art’s Juried Exhibit in the 2018 Portland Art & Heritage Fair. The exhibit will be available for viewing at the Marine Hospital from 11am-5pm. Jury prizes will be awarded at 2:00pm.

Hometown:
Education: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Website:

“Spello, Italy” by Margaret Bromley, Oil on canvas, 10x14in, Private Collection, Giclee available, $195

"Fisherman Bill" by Margaret Bromley, Oil on canvas, 8x10, (floating frame), $300

"Vermont Herb Garden " by Margaret Bromley, Oil on canvas, 8x8in, $225

Q&A with Lynn Dunbar, 2018 Kentucky Derby Poster Artist

Lynn Dunbar is a nationally recognized painter who has participated in, and won awards for plein air competitions all over the U.S. Her artwork is featured on the 2018 Kentucky Derby and Oaks Posters available at Churchill Downs, and will be featured on the 2018 Holiday Edition of Woodford Reserve Bourbon.  She has received the Award of Merit 2016, Owensboro Museum of Art, Science and History, Grand Prize Portland Heritage Arts Show 2014, honorable mention at the Salon International 2013, the 2012 Purchase Prize from the Owensboro Museum of Art, and the 2011 Grand Prize from the Louisville Women’s Club. Dunbar’s work has been featured most recently in the September 2017 Plein Air Magazine, and in American Art Review.

In the upcoming weeks there are multiple opportunities to meet the artist and acquire a signed copy of the artist’s Derby poster. A full schedule follows the Q&A.

How did you come to be chosen to paint the official 2018 Derby poster?

I was contacted spring of 2017. I was in New Orleans visiting my daughter when I got the phone call. Needless to say I was surprised. Churchill Downs liked my expressions of Kentucky, especially the riverboats, and asked me if I could send them a few images. I said, give me a couple hours and I will paint a race house too, so that's what I did. I sent them Belle and horse paintings. They were pleased and asked me if I would paint the images for the poster.

How much time did you spend at Churchill Downs?

I visited Churchill Downs to collect information and photograph scenes. I probably worked with Churchill Downs a good 6 months.

You are renowned for your landscapes, but none of your recent work had featured horses. Had you painted them earlier in your career?

I have painted animals including horses, cows and dogs. Now I am really getting into racehorses!

There is an element of the working life on the Ohio River in many of your paintings. Did you see your time at Churchill Downs as documenting another working environment that defines Kentucky?

Yes I do! And I am happy to be “Capturing the Spirit of Kentucky!” I hope to paint more racetrack scenes along with some more of our state’s Bourbon Industry.

"Horse Shoe Bend" by Lynn Dunbar, Oil on canvas, 24x72in, POR

A few years ago, you started painting aerial views, taking in the landscape in a particularly expansive way that really highlighted the Ohio River. Do you plan on returning to that approach?

Yes. I have some new aerials in the works. Craft(s) Gallery will be featuring a show for me of aerials of Kentucky and the Ohio River June 2018.

How has this experience inspired you?

I am so happy to call Kentucky my home! I have so many more paintings to paint on the land and activities in Kentucky. I am proud of the products from our beautiful state.

"Number 4" by Lynn Dunbar, Oil on canvas, 12x9in, 2017, POR

Lynn Dunbar will be signing copies of the Derby poster at the following:

March 23, 12:00 - 2:00pm: Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital. 
4001 Dutchmans Ln, St. Matthews KY. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Breast Cancer Resource Center.

April 12, 12:00 - 2:00pm: Middletown City Hall. 11803 Old Shelbyville Rd. Middletown KY.

April 19, 6:30 - 9:00pm: Derby Divas event at Rodes For Him and For Her. 
4938 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville KY. Proceeds benefit the Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program.

April 28 & 29, 10:00am - 6:00pm: Cherokee Triangle Art Fair. Louisville KY

May 4 & 5: Kentucky Oaks & Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. 
700 Central Avenue, Louisville KY. Dunbar will be signing posters in a booth on the main level near Grandstand and in Millionaire’s Row.

"In The Lead" by Lynn Dunbar, Oil on canvas, 36x24in, 2018, POR

"1964 Derby Glass" by Lynn Dunbar, Oil on canvas, 12x8in, 2017, POR

"Oaks Preliminary Skecth" by Lynn Dunbar, Oil on canvas, 12x8in, 2017, POR

---

Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2018 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved.

Are you interested in being on Artebella? Click here to learn more.

Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2018 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved.