Art exhibit features nature’s beauty
Lois Easley intends to bring the beauty of nature to the people during her monthlong exhibit, “An August Art Frolic,” at Gallery 200, 200 Main St. in West Chicago.
According to Easley, the idea that people are attracted to beauty is no accident.
Her philosophy is that people need to experience more beauty in their lives — more than they realize. She uses color on a variety of surfaces to bring her love of flowers, leaves and the lushness of summer foliage into a collection of artwork that people can enjoy.
Easley is passionate about her need to be an artist.
“We’re all on this planet for a reason. I honor the reality of being alive through my art,” she said.
Although she understands that she cannot reach everyone through her art, she is not afraid to take risks while trying to connect with people.
An early interest in art did not initially translate into a career in art. Her epiphany came during her 40s when, while teaching English at a community college, she realized that it was now or never to become an artist. She quit teaching and began her study through six months of art classes at College of DuPage, mostly in acrylics. She has since taken classes in watercolor, oil and calligraphy, as well as broadening her skills as a graphic designer by completing her website and foundational graphic design certificates, also through College of DuPage.
She became active in the local art community several years ago after Fredericka Howard, a member of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission at the time, recommended that she enter her works into the Fine Arts Fiesta. That connection led to becoming one of the original member artists at Gallery 200, an artist’s co-op supported by the city of West Chicago. Her current role at the gallery is as coordinator of future Featured Artist exhibits.
Although fine art is her passion, her desire to learn and continue her own education has not waned. As electronic forms of media have become the norm, Easley has embraced the digital era. Not only does she use digital photography to capture images that she later translates into paintings, but she has continued to develop her computer graphic skills, which include a stylus mouse that acts as a paintbrush and computer software that imitates a painting canvas.
Her education continued outside of art as well. A decade ago, Easley received a master’s degree from National Lewis University and is still a licensed professional counselor in Illinois. She took her classes at night, when her husband could help care for their children. Their sons were in fifth and first grades at the time.
She admits that this is a side of her that not many people know about. When asked about how her degree in counseling correlates to her understanding of how art affects people, she said, “I’m convinced that people need to take time out for themselves or they will come apart at the seams.”
Gallery 200 is open noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, contact (630) 293-9550 or www.gallery200.org.