
DATE: Thursday, June 26, 1997               TAG: 9706250155

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   68 lines

ART LEAGUE MEMBERS HEAD IN NEW DIRECTIONS FOR SHOW

The theme of the Suffolk Art League's annual Open Members Show could be taken from the old Duke Ellington song that tells us, ``Things Ain't What They Used To Be.''

Many of the artists displaying their work at the Suffolk Museum veered from the norm.

Pat Bohon, who usually paints flowery-looking flowers, turned the beauties into abstract collages; Robert Robertson switched from loose watercolors to controlled acrylics.

John Taylor, known for his realistic wildlife and seascape paintings, turned to Harborfest for inspiration. His reason: ``Because, you need to break away occasionally. I came up with this idea while listening to Harborfest commercials.''

He came up with ``Celebration,'' an acrylic loaded with a look at such Harborfest attractions as a symphony orchestra, fireworks and a Calypso music band.

``I incorporated a lot,'' said Taylor, whose painting is the first one you see when you come through the museum doors. ``It was done with an airbrush.''

One of the exhibit's most notable departures come from Janet Drew who usually offers pastel paintings. This time, she is displaying two pit-fired clay pieces.

``It's interesting to see artists use this show to garner response to new or different work,'' said Linda Bunch, Suffolk Art League administrator.

``Artists whose work you would normally recognize - suddenly their work has a new look.''

The work of printmaker, Martine Strohmeyer, has shrunk from monoprints measuring three feet, to small format black-white prints; Dixon Morrow, whose wild cartoonish work usually needs explanation has, on display, two small prints.

``These changes in style, medium, format and technique show how versatile many artists can be, and their desire to continually explore the parameters of their art work,'' Bunch said.

Not everyone was in a ``try-something-different'' mood.

Euell R. Williams and his trusty camera came up with ``Security,'' a simple photo of a lock and chain, taken on Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg.

He headed south for his other offering - a lovely rose in the Elizabethan Garden in Manteo.

``It's untitled, but I should have called it `By Direction,' '' he said. ``My wife told me to take the picture.''

It is hard to say whether or not Dana Adams has gone astray, artistically, since she seldom does the same thing twice.

This go 'round she is offering ``Soul Search,'' which has to do with searching for life's meaning. The offerings are in what Adams calls ``a folding book.''

Describing the exhibit in one word - fascinating.

``With close to 40 artists participating and with the many styles and mediums represented,'' Bunch said, ``there is something in the exhibit for every taste.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER

ABOVE: Suffolk Art League member John Taylor, known for his

realistic wildlife and seascape paintings, took the inspiration for

``Celebration'' from the annual Harborfest. The acrylic is loaded

with a look at such attractions as a symphony orchestra, fireworks

and a Calypso music band.

LEFT: Art League member Robert Robertson switched from loose

watercolors to controlled acrylics for his painting, ``Flower

Ladies.''.