Indie On the Road

Tag: Art

Artists

  • Chesapeake Art and History

    It’s May and we are staying in Janes Island State Park, near the Chesapeake Bay. The park is located in Crisfield, a small town in Somerset County, Maryland. Weather is mild, crabbing is starting, and the campground has beautiful sites with monstrous Loblolly pines. We were curious about the area’s history and art.

    On this particular day, we figured we would get our E-bikes off their rack on the back of the RV and take an easy ride over to Crisfield. Crisfield is a small town nearby known for its seafood history in oysters and crabs. We had read online about the Somerset County Arts Council, which promised local artist’s work. So, from Janes Island, we ventured a few miles, pedalling our electric bikes along the back roads to downtown Crisfield.

    The County Arts Council was located at 1100 West Main St. It was closed. A flyer posted outside noted an art show at the center, but it was scheduled during the previous week.

    While we pondered where to go next, a woman approached us and asked, “Are you looking for a gallery? There are several nearby. You should visit the Corbin Studio and Gallery and Gallery 413. And you should also visit the J. Millard Tawes Museum.”

    Wow, now there is somebody watching out for lost tourists! So, that’s exactly what we did.

    Tawes Museum

    The Tawes Museum, is located at 3 Ninth Street. The website notes, “The Tawes Museum (as it is called by the locals) is the central hub for the Crisfield Heritage Foundation. Here visitors will see displays and exhibits that introduce, and further educate one to the heritage of Crisfield and the surrounding areas. The museum presents the story of Chesapeake life, starting with the first humans to inhabit the area over 10,000 years ago to the era of when Crisfield was known as the seafood capital of the world. The museum is a must-see for any visitor to the area.”

    Tawes Museum and Giftshop

    This small museum included a lot of local heritage history, photos, and equipment related the local fishing industry. Very interesting.

    Local Galleries

    We ventured to the Corbin Gallery. Corbin was putting on an event during the next few days: Hangin’ Out Art Show. For current events visit events. The owners were wonderful to meet.

    Another interesting gallery was the Gallery 413, 4 East Main St., Crisfield. The fabulous gallery houses many locally and nationally recognized artists and a variety of media.

    Murals

    There is more art than just in museums and galleries. Expand your horizons and check out local murals. ”The Crisfield Seafood Workers Mural commissioned from artist Michael Rosato is now located at 413 W Main Street in Crisfield.”

    Chrisfield Seafood Workers Mural

    The website mentions, “Artist Michael Rosato is known for his murals that often employ trompe l’oeil, the illusion that the depicted objects exist in three dimensions, as in the mural by Mr. Rosato of Harriet Tubman in Cambridge, where her hand reaches out to the viewer. Mr. Rosato’s paintings can be seen in venues across the country, including the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Museum in Cape Charles, VA, the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA, and the Chesapeake Country Mural Trail in Dorchester County, MD.”

  • Donn C. Morris – Painting Western Art

    I grew up in the northeastern United States. My only exposure to the American West was watching TV westerns of the 1950s and 60s. I really had no clue other than that there were Indians, cowboys, buffalo, cattle ranches, and the Rockies. But western art has opened my eyes.

    Sky City Acoma Indian Sitting on Edge of Mesa

    On my recent travels across backroads of America with my wife and dog I discovered that traveling can change your view, particularly if you take the time to visit the national and state parks, and tribal lands and their museums. Also, local art can also reveal history and perspective. Donn Morris’ art is a good example of the western perspective. I recently talked with Donn and thought you might be interested in his western art perspectives.

    Drawing and Watercolors

    89-year old Donn C. Morris, a former green beret medic and teacher for 30 years, creates amazing drawings and paintings of people and scenes about the West.

    According to Rim Country Artists, Donn is a “Man of Many Mediums”. He works primarily in watercolors and is still working on his art filling commissions requested by friends and acquaintances.

    https://www.facebook.com/RimCountryArtists/posts

    He noted that some of the cultural influencers of his art were “Blue highways” and Zane Grey books. Blue Highways was a book by author, historian William Least Heat-Moon (born William Lewis Trogdon August 27, 1939) who chronicled unusual journeys through the United States. Pearl Zane Grey (January 31, 1872 – October 23, 1939) was an American author and dentist known for his popular adventure novels and stories associated with the Western literature and the arts (e.g., “Riders of the Purple Sage” (1912) was his best-selling book.) However, Donn’s art captures interesting images from many of his own travels.

    We discovered him while visitng the Bruzzi Winery, which displayed some of his paintings for sale. We purchased his Sky City Indian (above Acoma Indian). What caught my attention was the subject of the portrait was wearing what appeared to be Keds sneakers. Hmmm, that’s a little different from standard TV Indian garb. So, I asked him about this particular composition. He told me he encountered the fellow sitting on the edge of the mesa where he lived, and had to draw him. Just another image in the many he has captured in his art about western life.

    Donn C. Morris’ Cowboy

    Visit Donn’s art on Rim County Artists.