Roy R. Behrens - "Encircled Green"

"I’ve taught at various art schools and universities for more than 35 years. I find few things more satisfying than to be a strong, contributive force in the careers of gifted young people. As a person who delights in teaching (although it is always a challenge), I purposely make no distinction between my classroom teaching and my “studio work” (which, in my case, is an amalgamation of research, writing exhibiting and designing). I learn from my students every day , and then use what I gain from them to inform and strengthen whatever I do. Specific techniques and styles are faddish, and of little or no importance to me, while the form of work is enduring. To quote an old blues song: “It ain’t what you do, it’s how what do it.”

Mary Snyder Behrens - "Tissue Sample: Untitled #4"

To view an artist statement and some additional tissue pieces by Mary, please visit www.bobolinkbooks.com/msb/tissuesamples.html

Sara J. Peiffer Sorensen - “Window of Life”

“In water color painting there are no perfect colors, and no perfect methods. Each painter finds their own way. This is why watercolor paintings reflect their artist’s personality. Each of my paintings varies in style and approach. I use many forms, shapes and colors. I find the experience of watercolor painting fun, exciting and extremely satisfying.”

Tara Moorman - "What a Wonderful World"
“I am inspired by nature, dreams travel, my imagination and the spiritual energy of the universe.
I believe artwork thus inspired creates an environment of peace, joy and harmony wherever it is shown.”

You can view more of Tara’s work, awards and exhibitions by visiting www.yessy.com/taramoorman
 

John Paul Schafer - “Remains of a Broken Home”
"My primary focus as a painter is to achieve a truer sense of self. I prefer non-objective painting because the process provides a conduit through which I am most able to tap new and original thought, the key to any worthy artistic endeavor. When possible, I avoid referring to preconceived images or sketches. I work instinctively, and rely on my memories and impulses for inspiration. The result is a pure, honest product of self-expression."

John Beckelman

"While I often use a number of different materials in my work, clay is the material that most informs the things that I make. Having worked with clay, in a variety of forms and formats and in all its varied physical states for close to thirty years now, I find that the elemental character and expressive potential of clay continues to intrigue me. There seems to be a vital, persistent, almost universal, appeal to clay, which is like no other material."  To view John's complete artist statement, his artwork, and resume, log on to www.public.coe.edu/%7Ejbeckelm

Hugh Lifson - “Corso, Corso”
 “Lifson’s thought provoking paintings; collages and drawings can be appreciated on many levels…Lifson layers transparent and opaque images and physically attaches paintings in unexpected ways, coaxing us to ponder balance – and the lack of it in our lives, in nature and art.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, May, 2004.  

To see more of Hugh’s beautiful work, visit http://people.cornellcollege.edu/hlifson

Jane Gilmor - “Jack’s Weeds”
"Jack's Weeds" is text on metal taken from a note found in the 1980's by friends who were buying a house. The house had been occupied by an older man who's wife had recently died. He was being moved to a retirement home after 40 years in the house. When my friends moved in they began to find notes stuffed in the back of drawers and old basement pipes. This is the first note they found in the back of a kitchen drawer.  For more information or to see samples of Jane’s work please visit www.mtmercy.edu/depts/igilmor.htm

Lynda Black-Smith - “When you dream, you can dance like a feather!”
“Sometimes as we move through a normal day and life, we can feel confined, limited or inhibited. But when we dream, we can fly and sing and dance as light as a feather! Sometimes we are even lucky enough to wake up and actually realize and live our dreams. I hope we all do.”

Mount Mercy Drawing Class I Students

"Decisions" 

Neanna Conklin, Lacey O'Connell, Jackie Coyle, Amelia Ford
Our piece was created using a window taken from Mount Mercy College’s old chapel Stello. Acrylic paint was used over top of the original frame and glass. The overall idea behind our piece was inspired by Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” and the image was adapted from a photo by Objectif Lune.
The phrase around the rim of the window is from the last part of the fourth stanza of Frost’s poem, it states that there are two paths to choose. The concept is that the easiest path, or the one most traveled, is not always the most beneficial. This is why Frost states, “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Our group interpreted this line and created two paths in the center of the frame and then also divided the frame in half with color. The right half of the window is dark and covered in night; while the left half is bright and bathed in light, showing day. It allows the viewer to look and decide which path they want to follow. Meaning, everyone has many choices to make in life, it is up to you how you handle obstacles and embrace all the wonderful things you encounter. From those decisions a path is formed and where you end up is where you brought yourself.

"There's More Out Your Window Than Meets The Eye"

Hannah Synder, Kayla McIntyre, Yesenia Mendoza

The concept was taking different parts from around the world and portraying the many mystical places one can explore. The broken part represents how some of these important places are being destroyed. The places are laid out on the window as they would be in accordance to where they are located in the world. They are: the Angel Falls, located in Venezuela, the Moai, located on Easter Island, the Stonehedge, located in England, the Great Pyramids at Giza, located in Egypt, the Great Wall of China, located throughout the country of china, and the Great Barrier Reef, located off the caost of Australia. We wanted to include these places in the world because we thought they were important places one would visit if they wanted to travel the world and discover its wonders.

"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"

Mickena Benesh, Monica Miller, Shannon Sliter, Kate Wise

This particular piece was inspired by the concept of day dreaming as well as that of Disney's coined phrase "A dream is a wish you heart makes". No matter what the age, adults and children a like dream of fairytales lives. As children we dream of make believe worlds, such as enchanted forests, and allow our imaginations to run free, imagining all the possibilities magic holds, such as princes awakening from toad bodies thanks to a mere kiss. As adult's similar dreams come to mind; we meet the love of our life, prince charming as he rides in on a white horse, purchase our first house, and no matter how small or drab it appears, view it as their own castle, and still, our one true love appearing in front of our eyes, turning from a slimy toad to that of a handsome prince. No matter what your age is, dreams still live and are born from the heart. As Cinderella did, dream large, and as long as it comes from the heart your dream or wish is possible.