Anyone who has lived in the Great Plains knows that clouds have a language — at turns angry, peaceful or even whimsical.
How people hear that language is the subject of a new exhibit at Holland Hall’s Holliman Gallery. It is free and open to the public and runs Aug. 25 to Oct. 12.
Cloudscape oil painters David Holland and Marc Barker will feature ten 3-foot by 4-foot canvases — five by each painter — interspersed side by side on the 50-foot feature wall. The artists used the same size canvases and even the same horizon to unify the starkly different ways to interpret “The Language of Clouds.”
David’s work is based on accuracy and realism while Marc’s is based on spontaneous emotion. Both paint in oil, but Marc’s work is in charcoal and sepia tones while David’s is in full color. David works from photographs of storms and works to achieve a realistic representation of them, while Marc creates his clouds in the actual moment he puts brush to the canvas and knows by his own emotional response to what he sees that he has achieved his final image.
According to the artists: “Clouds speak a language that all of us hear, some hear it softly and some hear it loud and clear. Clouds speak for themselves, no translation necessary. It’s a broad language that transcends all borders, races, sexes and mentalities. Marc and David have been listening closely and have found their own voices in the Language of Clouds.
“Having seen both David and Marc’s work, I was hoping they might be interested in exhibiting their work,” said Holland Hall Fine Arts Teacher and Holliman Gallery Coordinator Byron Shen. “With the help of my friend, Randy Marks from the Oklahoma City Arts Council, David, Marc and I were able to discuss a possible exhibition. Holland Hall is delighted to display their artistry and share it with our immediate school and surrounding Tulsa community.”
A free public opening reception for the artists is set for 6-8 p.m. August 31 in the Holliman Gallery of the Walter Art Center, 5666 E. 81st St., Tulsa, OK, 74137. It is open to the public, but you may also RSVP by calling 918-481-1111.