Local Women Kick Off Exhibit Season at Gordy's

Martha Gilliom and Shonet Lambert Martin will join owner Genny Gordy for the September art show at Gordy Fine Art and Framing in downtown Muncie. Titled, "Works on Paper," the show includes watercolors by Gilliom, collages by Martin and mixed media and watercolors by Gordy.

A reception for the artists will be held during the First Thursday event on September 6, 2007 from 5 to 8 PM. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend. The other area galleries will also have openings during the same time period, offering a full evening of art for all ages.


Gilliom began watercolor painting in 1993 with Brian Gordy and continued studying with him for over ten years. She has participated in numerous juried exhibits, including the Minnetrista Annual Show, Red-tail Conservancy's annual, Open Spaces, Art About the Land, and the Art Association of Randolph County exhibit. Her recent paintings display a grace and maturity in the handling of the elusive watercolors. When asked to categorize this series, Gilliom thoughtfully replied,"They are all about the effect of light on objects. Contrast, then, became the subject matter, as much as the scene itself." Looking at the grouping, the artist realized there are windows in most of the pieces. "An unplanned theme with no deep meaning," according to Gilliom.


A yoga and aerobics instructor at Ball State University, Gilliom began picture framing at Gordy Fine Art and Framing in 2006.


Shonet Lambert Martin is known as a potter and weaver as well as a collage artist. A graduate of Ball State University, Shonet has taught art in public and private settings and currently works at the Muncie Children's Museum.


The past five years have seen a new type of art being produced by the prolific artist. Tearing, gluing, and enhancing papers of every color, weight and texture, Martin works loosely from natural forms - figures, pods, and acorns float on multi-colored backgrounds with metallic dots dancing alongside. Sometimes creating is easy and the pieces flow together and fill the drawer under her giant studio table. Occasionally, the petite artist wrestles the works to the end. She talks about the acorn that almost won the battle. "It was giving me a good workout and my family could hear my admonishments downstairs." Martin smiles, "Wouldn't you know it would be the piece chosen for the postcard." (See acorn image, attached).


Genny Gordy seldom exhibits in the family-owned frame shop/gallery. Husband, Brian, is the more prolific artist, dedicated to early-morning sessions in the backyard studio, and consistently entering both local and national exhibits. In contrast, Genny's artwork is born in spurts and pieces at the drafting table, some of which Brian picks up and frames. "This is my favorite piece," he says of the oil pastel that appears to be of a green olive on bending stem, falling into a sea of blue, with other stems in line close behind. A series of scratches in the wall behind the scene number sixty five, causing Brian to dub the piece, "If Olive to Be 65."


If there is another meaning to the piece, the artist herself isn't saying. "I want to allow my work to mean something entirely different to another viewer," she offers. "I'm usually spontaneously driven to create something, as opposed to Brian's more disciplined mode of operation, and it holds meaning for me at that moment. I don't normally take the next step of showing my work to others, but the idea of showing with two dear friends was really exciting."


The three-woman exhibit continues through September 29th and may be seen during normal business hours after the opening: Monday though Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday, 9 to 3, or by appointment. For more information call 284-8422 or visit www.gordyframing.com .

Gordy Fine Art and Framing is located at 224 East Main Street, next door to Civic Theatre.


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