“Random: Collages From The Scrap Pile,” an exhibition of spontaneous compositions by Leelanau County artist Mark Mehaffey, is on display at the Glen Arbor Arts Center.
Random is also a tutorial about remaining alert to creative possibilities. Random runs May 1 – Aug. 28 in the GAAC’s Lobby Gallery.
Mehaffey is best known as a painter. During the process of preparing some paintings for framing, he trimmed them using a paper cutter, “and the light bulb did go on,” he said.
“The trimmings lay there next to the paper cutter, and I thought they were intrinsically interesting. I liked the random design of the cuttings.”
And so began a series of compositions that are mostly spontaneous. Mehaffey does allow himself some creative leeway if he thinks a collage could be tweaked; but for the most part these works are testament to letting the scraps fall where they may.
An enthusiastic plein air painter, Mehaffey is linking his interest in alfresco landscape painting with Random in another way. A portion of the sales from Random will be directed to the GAAC’s Youth Plein Air Month. This children’s event takes place July 1-31, and is a chance for kids age 6-12 to be introduced to the techniques and challenges of openair painting. Mehaffey, who taught visual art in the public schools for 30 years, will be one of several painters offering instruction. Learn more about Youth Plein Air Month at GlenArborArt.Org / EVENTS Mehaffey talks in more detail about the process and thinking behind his Random collages, a series he began seven years ago, in a short video interview. Watch the video and learn more about Random at GlenArborArt.Org / EXHIBITS
