With the marriage of colors and brush, an artist often creates a human figure so real looking that the painted person could step from the canvas. Or it may be a vase of flowers, a landscape or a drawing of anything capturing the sensitive expressions of the artists.
We are fortunate in the South Hills to have an array of amazing artists who express individuality through their styles and techniques. By taking a few hours now and then to visit local art exhibits, we develop a new perspective of our neighbors and even our family members.
South Arts Gallery will open its spring show Friday, April 18 in the Schoolhouse Art Center. The opening reception is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday April 19.
Energy and imagination of many artists will exhibit fine art in oils, acrylics, watercolors and pastels as well as pottery, sculptures and note cards. The exhibit will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, ending Friday, May 30.
Bethel Park resident John Del Monte is the featured artist for the show. Whether it's pencil, charcoal, watercolor, pastels or oils, his fine art images take on life. Without a word, spoken or written, the end result is a story, so real the painting could be a mirror image.
"I don't remember not wanting to draw or paint," said John as he recalled drawing figures from the Superman comics as a teenager in McKees Rocks.
His art studies in Pittsburgh, New York, Massachusetts and Italy combine his celebration of art with teaching, painting and drawing and exhibiting his own art.
In 1953, he traveled through Europe to study great masterpieces. And again in 1962, he visited Europe's great museums and explored the magnificent architecture in Italy and Spain.
"The first painting I ever did was an oil of a violin in 1947. The painted musical notes are from an actual score sheet. I didn't even know how to prepare a canvas. I had to read the instructions," John continued.
In 1969 he established the Creative Art Studies in Lucca, Italy. Students have the benefit of his lectures, demonstrations and instruction of various media. This summer's painting and drawing sessions in Lucca are set for June 9 through July 4 and in Barga, Italy, July 7 through 27.
For information, call 412-833-2998.