FACES OF MAC

MAC Early Birds are such an enthusiastic group, it’s rarely difficult to get them fired up. Still, when one of their own secured a showing through the Geezer Gallery, the excitement was greater than usual, and it was all the excuse they needed for a group adventure. On a Friday in early February, before the snow hit, Marcia Director and a group of fellow fans of morning fitness made their way to Montgomery Park to appreciate the paintings of Ross Mercer. The abstract artist has been a member since he was 8 years old, and he and wife, Vicki, are Early Birds to the core. “We miss our 5 a.m. workouts and our fellow Early Birds,” he says. “The pandemic has limited our exercise opportunities, and we’re anxious to return to our early morning schedule.” It was while waiting in line for the club to open one day, pre COVID, that the idea for a show in conjunction with the Geezer Gallery came about. The Mercers struck up a conversation with Director, who is executive director of the gallery, and asked how Ross could become one of their artists. “There is a jury process, which Ross passed with flying colors, and he is now one of our featured artists,” Director recounts. “Numerous pieces of Ross’s art are in a current show at Montgomery Park, and they are being sold. We rotate exhibitions, but it is very likely that Ross will have his art displayed continually. We have encouraged him to keep them coming!” A physicist by occupation, Mercer says it was only in retirement that he had enough time to focus on painting. “I graduated from water colors and small pieces to acrylics and larger works. Usually I paint in layers, applying, spreading and removing, and then repeating the process. The goal is to create art that can grab your attention from across the room, but also keep your interest as you approach the painting and see the details. “Color is everything; almost everything because in abstract art composition is important too,” he explains. “Although color can be created by any of several physical processes, most of what we see every day is the result of removing some frequencies of light by absorption while the remaining light is reflected. Quantum mechanics dictates how light is absorbed and reflected. Biology provides the second half of the process of color perception.” Speaking of perception, Director points out that the Geezer Gallery is responsible for the important visibility of artists like Mercer, who exhibit their work at Montgomery Park and are able to sell it because it is seen. The Geezer Gallery is a nonprofit devoted to showcasing Master Level senior artists and providing “art as therapy” programs to the local senior community, giving voice through their creative works. For more on the organization, see geezergallery.com, and for further reading about, and viewing of, Mercer’s work, check out rossmercerart.com.