Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Celebrate Diversity: The Artists
Twenty-five artists are participating in Art on the Bricks this month. Learn a little bit more about four of them here and see the work of all at facebook.com/ArtOnTheBricks.
Artist Adriana Patrucco’s paintings examine everyday scenes using light and shadows to create puzzling settings which lead the observer to ask, “What is behind those settings?” or “Where do these characters come from?” Born and raised in Perú, Patrucco is strongly influenced by the Peruvian indigenous paintings from the first four decades of the 20th century. In particular, she is inspired by the work of José Sabogal and Carlota Carvallo. Adriana’s attraction to these artists is reflected in the innovative use of exaggerated facial features and the use of particular colors, reminiscent of those used in Andean folklore.
Earlier this year, artist Kinya Christian worked with the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce to curate an art collection reflective of the African diaspora to the modern-day black experience in America. “Reflections of the Black Experience” debuted during the February Art on the Bricks Art Walk at the Rogers Experimental House and then migrated to the Rogers Historical Museum. The exhibit took inspiration from The 1619 Project, a group of essays, photos and art published by The New York Times. Christian and a small team of motivated artists put together an exhibit with local and regional artists who worked with the publishers to share this impactful exhibit with the community.
Rogers artist Chuck Stout and his sister were raised by a single mom on welfare in the 1950s and 60s. They had playmates of diverse ethnicities all around in their Toledo, Ohio, neighborhood. Stout was accustomed to seeing diverse families of mixed races with a frequently changing population in his community. “I embrace all people and accept them based on how they treat other people,” he explains.
Years later, he enjoys painting and sharing images of portraits he has created of his grandchildren. His daughter, who is white, and her partner, who is Black, have been friends since high school and together as a couple for 10 years. They are raising their three children. Stout enjoys painting portraits of his family and has also created portraits of two same sex couples which he has given as wedding gifts. His work can currently be seen at Java Dudes Coffee Company and the DTR Market, where he displays and takes orders for custom pet portraits.
Bella Vista artist Susan Blackwood loves to paint portraits and landscapes. Her work has been exhibited in hundreds of galleries and museums, published in magazines and earned her signature status and many awards from national and international painting societies. Classically trained, her typical works reflect impressionistic-realism and contemporary styles. She has traveled nationally and internationally teaching art classes and workshops in countries including Croatia, Mexico, Venezuela, India, China, Portugal and Spain.
Blackwood is part Cherokee, and her art was influenced by her heritage while she was in her mid-20s. Her first portraits were of Native Americans. Now, almost 50 years later, the emotions of each person she paints filters through. “Regardless of skin tone or ethnicity, I love to reflect the beautiful souls as I capture the faces of the people I paint,” Blackwood explains.