The Art House's newest exhibit encourages viewers to lean in for a closer look.
Titled "Hide and Seek," the exhibit features art from many area artists. Pieces often hide delightful details or surprises. The exhibit debuted Friday evening with a reception. Art aficionados can come in to take a look - or two - until Oct. 22 at 531 Court St. in Fulton.
During Friday's reception, the Fulton Sun interviewed a few of the artists to learn about their works.
Mike Seat
Mike Seat's piece is a moody painting of a vintage vehicle, half-hidden in shadow.
"It's like the truck is venturing out of the garage, out from hiding," he said. "It resembles a truck my grandfather used to have."
Seat, from Columbia, said he likes his paintings to include contrast and coordination.
"I use lots of value contrast, but I also try to use colors that are pleasing together," he said.
Don't be shy about giving Seat feedback on his art - he said he thrives on it. The perspective each viewer brings completes his work.
"When I put (a piece) on the wall, people look at it and give me feedback," he said. "I feel like that completes the cycle. I hope my art connects with people."
Mary Jo Kattelman
"Can you spot the woodcock?" artist Mary Jo Kattelman asked.
The well-camouflaged bird is hidden in a colorful carpet of leaves in one of the several paintings Kattelman has on display at the Art House.
"This is a bird I actually met," she added.
Kattelman first spotted its nest hidden on the ground while going for a walk. She hurried home to retrieve her husband.
"I said, hold still, the bird must be nearby," she remembered. "Then I looked and it was right next to his foot."
Birds inspire much of Kattelman's work.
"They have so much expression," she said. "You can see a bird smile or frown. I like the way they can blend in or be right there."
She loves watching them, and when one meets an early demise by colliding with her windows, she immortalizes it in paint. One of those unfortunate birds features in her painting about Alzheimer's.
"A friend of mine fundraises for Alzheimer's research, and it runs in my family," she said.
Proceeds from the sale of that particular painting will be donated towards Alzheimer's research, Kattelman added.
Clarence Wolfshohl
Clarence Woflshohl, of Fulton, brought his playful sensibilities to the two prints he has on exhibit for this show.
The first is a jumble of cultural figures, including a Waldo (of Where's Waldo fame) and a giant Marilyn Monroe looming in the background.
"That's supposed to be Mickey Mantle, but I messed him up," he said, pointing to one figure. "So he became Frankenstein's monster with a ball cap on."
Wolfshohl pointed out that the painting is titled "Where's Walt?" The Waldo is a misdirection, he said.
The second piece, which features a man who looks suspiciously like a young Wolfshohl playing guitar to a giant lizard, is an exercise in technique, he said.
"I tried to see how fine I could make the lines," Wolfshohl explained.