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Multi Artist Exhibition
LAKEWOOD ARTISTS SERIES JANUARY ARTISTS EXHIBIT IN THE ARGYLE
Returning Artists Nick Erker and Jennylynne Gragg | Introducing Tanya Jana-Ford By Patti Browder
A New Year brings a new exhibit to the Argyle Art Gallery from two Lakewood artists we have enjoyed before, and another recently discovered talent.
NICK ERKER Nick Erker was influenced by American realist artists and inspired by their ability to compose works that transpose the viewer into the story. Primarily working in watercolor on wood panels, he is able to capture the people and stories from his childhood with vivid emotional expressions and larger-than-life personalities. Nick has devoted his career to educating others in art and design and currently teaches art at Fort Osage High School. Last summer Nick held a two-month solo exhibition at the Art School KC in Lee’s Summit titled “Heartland.” He also completed some major commissioned paintings this past year, including two very large 8.5x10 ft. altar paintings for a church in Colorado. Nick and his wife J’Nan have lived in Lakewood for over ten years.
JENNYLYNNE GRAGG Also returning to exhibit in the Argyle is Jennylynne Gragg. This year she will begin her nineteenth plein air painting season starting with an event in Augusta, MO, and participating in four other plein air events this coming summer. Jennylynne and her husband Michael, use their travel trailer to attend the different events, bringing with them a cozy home environment, and any art supplies needed, During the months of December and January, Jennylynne takes a break to do commissioned portrait works of animals and people, including an impressive longhorn cow. You might also see Jennylynne driving around Lakewood in her Ford Transit Van, sketching local scenes for an upcoming series.
TANYA JANA-FORD Our third artist in the New Year exhibit is Tanya Jana-Ford. Tanya has lived in Lakewood with her husband, Tracy, for nearly four years and they welcomed their first baby daughter, Divya, in September. Tanya earned a Masters in Architecture in 2013 and continues to practice. Tanya also teaches piano and has always been familiar with abstract art in the form of music. Her passion for art (abstract and tangible) transformed during the challenges of COVID. She began experimenting with more abstract painting and was excited about the results that came from more fluid work with the colors she couldn’t control. The Fluid Pour Art process is driven by the colors selected, amount of silicone within each color, and how it is poured on the canvas. Once the paint is poured, amounts of silicone start to show itself within the poured paint. Tanya then moves the layers of poured wet paint with a blow dryer or straw. Each result is different and creates a unique piece of art every time. In addition to art and architecture, Tanya loves gardening, teaching/playing the piano and being around the lake or one of the pools.
experimenting with more abstract painting
All artists featured in the gallery are Lakewood Residents. If you are an artist, or know someone in Lakewood who might be interested in showing their artistic talent to the community, get in touch with Carole Gray, cjegray@gmail.com; or Sharon Stackelhouse, s.stackelhouse@icloud.com. We are never surprised and always delighted to find new talent in Lakewood.
