Experienced, novice artists display their works at exhibit

Judith Edelman of Mount Prospect began her career as a fashion illustrator, sketching as many as 10 figures a day in pen and ink.

During her early years, she illustrated for Carson Pirie Scott and Marshall Field's for their newspaper ads, before going into consulting work. Now, in her retirement, she has more time to flesh out those figures.

Edelman is one of 60 artists featured in the latest "Arlington Artists on Display" exhibit going on through Jan. 27 in the Heritage Gallery of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.

The three-month show features the works of artists who live, work or take art classes in Arlington Heights, and the number of them who want to exhibit is growing.

"It's our biggest one yet," says Mickey Horndasch, museum curator.

She takes particular delight in the fact that this exhibit features a mix of artists, from students to working artists, like Edelman, in a variety of media, and featuring a range of subjects.

Edelman's painting, called "Green Dress," was done in oil on canvas, and it features a woman striking a graceful pose, leaning over in a chair. Edelman worked on the painting in a life painting class at the Evanston Art Center.

"She's a dancer and is very slender," says Edelman, who also is a member of the Arlington Art Guild. "She just looked so lovely, her pose was so relaxed, that it was a joy to paint her."

By contrast, Kaitlin Slattery, a Hersey High School freshman, presents a different approach to her painting.

She calls her portrait, called "More Than Just Finger Painting," because it was done entirely with finger and thumb prints. She credits her father, Jack, who also is an artist, with encouraging her to experiment with design and color at an early age.

"He's always encouraging me to pursue my art," says Kaitlin, 14. "He's been my inspiration."

Many of the paintings in the show are more traditional, and feature landscapes or streetscapes, from familiar local spots, to European destinations.

Stan Stec of Arlington Heights features some of the detail seen in the Arlington Farmers Market, in his oil on canvas, while Carol VanderMey worked in oil to paint the "Paddock Parade," of horses at Arlington Park.

Other painters captured favorite sights, including the countryside in Pienza, Italy, done by Lenore Scheel of Arlington Heights, and the view from the Rialto Bridge in Venice, presented as a digital image, filter painted on canvas by Walter Vestal of Arlington Heights.

Members of the Arlington Heights Arts Commission, and LaSalle Bank, co-sponsored the sixth annual Arlington Artists on Display. The arts commission is committed to the cultural advancement of the village, by enhancing and encouraging all kinds of art.

If you go

What: Arlington Artists on Display, featuring the work of 60 local artists in all types of media

When: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Jan. 27

Where: Heritage Gallery at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 112 W. Fremont St. in Arlington Heights

Cost: $2 suggested donation

More information: www.ahmuseum.org