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The Journey by Dale McReynolds
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On view at Artspace 304 Friday, January 31 to Thursday February 27 is “The Journey” by Dale McReynolds. This exhibition offers a view of the African journey and transformation in America. McReynolds’ portraits are completed in pastels on paper capturing the African American experience from the Jim Crow era through the present day. She works in color schemes of black, white and sepia tones to help the viewer experience a story line of events like flashbacks of memories. Her portraiture captures the essence of personalities, invoking smiles and causing conversations.
Join us for the reception Saturday, February 15, from 2-4pm at Artspace 304. This event is free and open to the public. There will be light snacks and refreshments, as well as a meet and greet with the artist in attendance. Please park in the First Christian Church parking lot, located on W Monroe St and S University Ave.
About the Artist:
Dale McReynolds lives in Metropolis, Illinois. In 2019, she opened Dale’s Art Den, the first and only African American art gallery and studio in Metropolis, located on 723 Market Street. McReynolds exhibits her artwork nationwide, with exhibitions most recently at the African American Museum (Carbondale, IL), The Ice House Gallery (Mayfield, KY), The Yeiser Art Center (Paducah, KY), The Illinois State Museum (Springfield, IL), The Hartley Gallery (Herrin, IL) and The Hise Museum (Harrisburg, IL).
Artist Statement by Dale McReynolds
Some have considered my paintings in the genre of the Realist because my art is inspired by memories of people, places and things that I wish to share. At an early age in life, I developed an affinity of watching people and drawing their faces, in hopes of capturing their moods and personalities. Portrait painting provides a personal pathway of expression, as it affords the opportunity to bring to canvas what I am feeling at the moment.
Using pastels, which is my preferred medium, allows me to start a painting under one inspiration and often pausing and returning to the canvas under a different inspiration; sometimes giving me an end result different from my original thought. I count this as Divine Inspiration, guiding my mind and hands, as well as the other aspects of my life.
My artwork is to give the viewer a feeling of a story line of memories and smiles. So, that is why I use the Black and White effects and Sepia Tones, mostly. Coming from a Native American and African American Heritage, I try to set the atmosphere leading to the Jim Crow Days as a Southerner! I hope to cause conversations, good memories and smiles. I have been commissioned to paint portraits of pets as well. I also use acrylic paints when painting Landscape, Still Life and Flowers!
I feel so fortunate and grateful that I was gifted to make art and hope that what I paint brings joy and good memories to those who view it.