Frostic artist showcased at CEAS

By Jared Field
Western Herald

Western Michigan University senior Rachel Castle’s most recent body of work entitled “Watercolors,” has been placed for viewing in the Dean’s Office at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences of WMU.

According to Castle, who is pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at WMU’s Gwen Frostic School of Art, “Watercolors” is a series of watercolor and ink pieces that depict her pleasure in watching the characters she sees around her.

Castle said in the artists’ statement, “I have always been and observer of others and simply watch those around me. Reflected in my body of work is my delight in the analyzing of human experience and its reflection on our faces.”

The paintings seem to be those out of a sketch book, re-imaged for better quality. The ink portion of each piece is very distinct and even though very sketchy and rough, viewers are able to find realism in each one.

In some, the watercolors are dark and muddy portraying sorrow, confusion or sadness. In other pieces, the colors are bright and separated giving the characters true positive expression and muscle definition.

“These are beautiful paintings, I love the ink and watercolor thing,” said WMU art student, Carly Sprague.

The titles of each piece begin with the word “Blessed,” giving way to the thought that no matter what a person is going through or how a person lives their life, each one of us is blessed and serves a purpose. This statement is acquired through each piece and viewers can walk away with a new found respect and enlightenment.

“Blessed are the poor in Spirit,” is an image of a tall man with deep, dark eyes, leaning against a wall with his hands in his pockets. The image reflects sadness and confusion but also hope and desire for something different. The dark, washed tones in the man’s face are distracted by his bright pink shirt and the stare in his eyes.

“Blessed are the Peace-Makers,” and “Blessed are the clean of heart,” are two paintings with only happy, positive messages. The colors in the two pieces are vibrant making them stand out among the pictures that hang on the wall beside them.

“Blessed are the hungry for thirst,” is a quite confusing painting of an old man wearing sun-glasses who seems to be in motion. The whites and grays stand out and the painting is nearly colorless. The expression on the man’s face does not show thought or emotion. The title is description-less of any message that could possibly be portrayed. “Hungry for Thirst,” is a piece of pure genius and artistically stands out among the rest.

“Blessed are those who mourn,” is very colorful piece portraying a larger woman with curly hair and a sad and angry expression on her face. “Those who mourn,” expresses the most emotion out of any of Castle’s paintings almost giving viewers a sense of what she was feeling as she painted it.

The exhibit began in late October and will be held until Dec. 21, 2009.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Nov 18 2009. Filed under A & E, Campus, Weekend Scene. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com