Louis Jones at Charlotte Country Day School

On January 30^th and 31^st of this year, artist Louis Jones came to Charlotte Country Day School and conducted a workshop with the students, thus sharing his love for creating; as well as teaching; art to those who would share his passion. And, at Charlotte Day School, located on the corner of Carmel Road in Charlotte, he found an eager audience.

Over a period of two days, Mr. Jones took the time to speak about; as well as conduct; hands on advice and provide encouragement to the students. Actually, he worked along-side of them while creating an original painting of his own. The results are displayed on this wall in the Hance Gallery of the Fine Arts Center; which is located on the grounds of the school; surrounded by a selection of some of the works produced in the workshop. They are all worthy of note.

Mr. Jones work’s in acrylic are both vivid and slightly impressionist in nature. He lures you in with color, and at other times, with a sparse landscape, showing an abandoned farm. His titles are humorous and thought provoking. Clearly, this is a man who enjoys his work enough to share it with others, ensuring that the genre will endure.

Sue and I have been to the Hance Gallery before. It is always free and open to the public. Artists, and the institutions that display their works, are becoming increasingly rare. We are very happy to have displays like this to brighten our days. Art is a vital part of life. Ever since man has been drawing on the walls of caves he has sought to visually represent his surroundings.

In the final analysis, art is somewhat subjective to the viewer’s taste. To that end, art can be judged by the joy evident on the faces of the people viewing it. I walked into the Hance Gallery on a raw and gray February afternoon; looking a bit down; and in only a few minutes I was standing with a smile in front of 2 of Mr. Jones’ finer works.

To view more of Mr. Jone's work you can go to his website at http://www.ashevilleart.org/artists/wlouisjones/

The Mecklenburg Declaration - 1775

On May 19^th, 1775,   a messenger arrived in Charlotte bearing news of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which had taken place a month previous. That, in itself, is testament to the trials of living in the “good old days.” In this age of instant news, it is almost inconceivable.

The messenger arrived at a time in which Charlotte, and Governor Tryon of North Carolina, were involved in a separate dispute of their own with King George. That dispute concerned the use of the Queens name; which happened to be Charlotte.

There had been an agreement between the Governor and the King to allow the construction of a Presbyterian College, which would go on to become Queen’s College and is still in operation today. Apparently the King had a change of heart and withdrew his consent, angering many of the local; and for the most part; loyal citizens. They were, to say the least, primed for action. And the arrival of the messenger on the afternoon of May 19^th gave them just the reason they needed to vent that anger.

The following afternoon, May 20^th, 1775; over 1 year previous to the Declaration of Independence; the citizens of Charlotte produced what has become known as  the “Mecklenburg Declaration”, which declared complete independence from the King. This was one of the many reasons which gave rise to the nickname amongst the King’s court of Charlotte as a “hornet’s nest.”

Local artist William Puckett has spent the better part of the past year chronicling these events on the walls of the underpass for North Davidson Street at Matheson Avenue, just north of downtown; well, here they call it “uptown”; Charlotte. And what a wonderful job he has done!

In place of the graffiti which had previously lined these walls, there is now a beautiful and richly painted account of a major event in our local history. Saturday marked the official “unveiling” of the mural, which lines both sides of the underpass, which lead to the NoDa (North Davidson) area of the city. Previously blighted and crime ridden, the area has had a major renaissance in the 14 years Sue and I have lived here. It is where we go to listen to music, as well as to look at art.

The event was well planned, and included a few costumed “re-enactors”, who lent a colonial flavor to the day. I’m always grateful to those people who come out in period dress, including the woman who was clothed as a slave. It serves as a living reminder of who we are, and how we got here. It hasn’t been easy; and sometimes less than fun; but looking back gives hope for the future. It’s often said that “the only thing new is the history you don’t know”.  For more about this mural, and the artist himself, go to; williampuckett.com

"La Cabeza" - Public Art

Sue and I went to see this unusual piece of public art in downtown Charlotte on Saturday. It's colorful, and slightly weird visage helps to brighten up the corporate world of glass and steel buildings which seem to house all the banks in the world.

"La Cabeza" is the creation of artist Niki De Saint Phalle, who is married to fellow artist Jean Tinguely, a close friend of Andreas Bechtler, of the Bechtler family. They are the force behind the Bechtler Museum of Art, which is located here in Charlotte. This sculpture, which is currently on tour, sits diagonally across from their famed glass sculptered "The Firebird", which sits at the entrance to the museum.

Inspired by the imagery of Mexico’s Day of the Dead, it was created in 2000, and stands 14 feet high , embedded with a colorful array of abalone shells, glass pebbles, mirrors, and stained glass. You can walk through it, marveling at the mirror encrusted interior, which includes a bench molded into the wall. You can look out from the eyes, or dangle parts of yourself out of La Cabeza's mouth. It's a friendly ogre, which is inspired by the artists interest in other cultures. The style is Mesoamerican and would be right at home in San Antonio, near the Riverwalk.

La Cabeza is only one of several pieces exhibited by Ms.Phalle and her husband. There is another walk through piece of the Cat, as well as a larger than life Golf Player and the majestic depiction of Miles Davis, all done in the same style with pebbles and glass fitted together in mosaic patterns.

It's a fun exhibit, one in which the art is clearly identifiable for what it is, and accessible to all the children who wish to climb on the figures. Public art should be fun, offering a counterpoint to the daily travails of the world around us. When placed in business districts, as is this exhibit, a downtown area can be transformed into a playground on weekends, with families strolling about while tourists take photos and children climb in and out, as well as all over the sculptures. At one point I even saw "La Cabeza" flash a smile at Miles Davis, but it happened so quickly that I don't think anyone else noticed.

The best part of viewing any type of art is the chance to indulge in some self reflection, that is, a chance to find out what any particular piece of art says to you as an individual. And what better place to do that than while seated inside the bright, and naturally lit, mirror lined head of "La Cabeza"? With the brilliance of a fall day all around her, Sue seems to like what she sees. I know I do..