Naturally Beautiful Charles Crispin August 1, 2013

The world today has been shaped by human emotion and interaction, bringing both positive improvement and turmoil. One thing that will always remain constant is the beauty of what is left when you lose the freeways and infrastructure. Nature has a profound effect of joy on its viewer, and a few artists have successfully incorporated this beauty into their work. Artists such as Leslie Shows and Don Ray have taken scenes from the movie of nature and portrayed them in the best light for the viewer. They depict landscapes, above and below water, in their best light to please their audience. Other artists like Carrie Anne Baade, Julie Heffernan, and Lori Field choose to take items from nature and combine them with human figure and unrelated things to contrast the beauty of the natural objects. The natural world is a great entity to depict through artwork, and with its depiction, the viewer experiences feelings of awe and relaxation.

 The show will be split into five different viewing rooms, with each room sampling a single artists spectacular. Exhibit 1 Lori Field Exhibit 2 Leslie Shows Exhibit 3 Julie Heffernan Exhibit 4 Carrie Ann Baade Exhibit 5 Don Ray

Lori Field
Lori Field uses animal/human hybrids and items from nature to show mesmerizing beauty. This room shows her skill with a pencil to create detail and separation among so many elements.

Lori Field

Love me, Love my Armadillo, Pencil on Paper, 12 x 9 2011

Middlesex Pencil on Paper 12 x 9 2011

You will Hear Thunder and Remember Me Pencil on Paper 12 x 12 2009

The Little Death Drawing, Colored Pencil 12 x 12 2011

Pinky and the Brain Drawing, Colored Pencil 2009 36 x 36

Leslie Shows
Leslie Shows uses various items to create masterful landscape collages. Her art has a detailed and different look to it. The pieces she does are actually very intricate collages.

Detritus pile 48x 60 collage, oil & acrylic on wood 2005

Face K2, 82 by 48, ink, acrylic, glass, canvas engraving on aluminum 2009

Nitrogen Cycle/ 10 Reds, 120 x 75 glass, paint, acrylic 2012

Julie Heffernan
Julie Heffernan incorporates natural fruit and foliage into her work to add an elemental beauty. Her work often depicts the human body, comparing it to the looks and beauty of natural items.

Carrie Ann Baade

Carrie Ann Baades use of animals, insects, and foliage bring out the natural appreciation of the viewer. She successfully combines these things in a playful and colorful manner. Her work is exciting and eye-catching.

Perilous Compassion of the Honey Queen 18" x 24", oil on pane,l 2010

Supposedly Shared Sorrow of Magdalene and the Crocodile 9" x 12", oil on panel, 2010

Don Ray
Don Ray paints marine life with great detail to show how intricate this underwater environment is. He captures all different ecosystems from inshore to offshore, and also a wide variety of species.

Flying Fish 32 1/2" x 24 1/2" Paint on Canvas 2010

Mako Moon 19" x 24 Paint on Canvas 2012

Bonefish and Conch 16" x 20" Paint on Canvas 2010

Flying High 20" x 25" Paint on Canvas 2010

Whoos On First? 18" x 24" Paint on Canvas 2010

 The purpose of this show was to exemplify the beauty of nature through the selected artists. The viewer can come away from the show with a new appreciation of the world we live in and we must think about our effect on it.