We see their whimsical and magical, beautiful and poignant multimedia artworks everywhere—indoors, outdoors and all around us—giving us great cause to celebrate and appreciate these talented familial creatives and their mutual dedication to making art and their families the centers of their lives and their careers.

artCentral is grateful to Community Bank & Trust, for generously underwriting this spring’s fine exhibition, “Dad and Daughter: Dynamic Duo”.
 
Join artCentral members and guests for the Opening Reception taking place at 6-8 pm, Friday, April 7 at Hyde House, 1110 East Thirteenth in Carthage. The public is invited. Admission is free. Donations are welcome. Visit with the artists. Treat yourself to a purchase of their art and a copy Lowell’s book which he’ll be signing from the front porch swing.
 
Rising to fame in the 1970’s, Lowell Davis has been referred to as the "Norman Rockwell of Rural Art".
 
Creator of more than three thousand paintings and four hundred figurines (many produced in Scotland), visionary of RED OAK II, children’s author and autobiographer, Lowell now pours his artistic energies into creating outdoor signs seen throughout the Carthage, Lamar, Jasper and Joplin area.
 
Generously garnished with imagery and color and humor to match, Lowell’s art is stylistically Rockwellesque—snapshots reflecting the simple life of times past.
 
Lowell is a master at conveying the unique, often amusing characters of people and animals and places and objects, as seen through his twinkling, mischievous eyes which his daughter, April, has inherited.
 
As the offspring of Lowell Davis, April’s first language was and continues to be art. Nature is her primary source of inspiration—the delicacy of a rose, the beauty of falling water, the graceful lines of a bird’s wings.
 
A sculptor turned oil painter, April created her earliest bronze when she was five. Encouraged by her father to pursue an art career, today April teaches sculpting and painting classes, while she fills her canvases with images she finds outdoors.
 
April’s a much loved instructor at artCentral’s artCamp for Kids. As an actively engaged member of southwest Missouri’s arts community, April teaches and exhibits her art for purchase at Cherry’s Art Emporium on the Square in Carthage and at Local Color Art Gallery in Joplin.
 
See April and Lowell’s “Dad and Daughter: Dynamic Duo” during gallery hours April 7-May 14: Fridays & Saturdays 12:00-5:00, Sundays 1:00-5:00. All other days call (417) 358-4404 to schedule a visit.
​

​​Currently all three satellite galleries are filled with the fine photographic works of nine members of FSPE: Four State Photography Enthusiasts. FSPE is a group of like-minded folks that love to play with their cameras. They regularly meet together to share and learn about their passion, photography.
 
With professionalism and many hours spent gathering and preparing the three exhibits, Jane Ballard, herself a gifted photographer, serves as curator for all three of FSPE’s satellite exhibits. Each exhibit has a theme.
 
At the Atrium Gallery within Sirloin Stockade, the “Out of the House” collection showcases landscape photography. Some of the locations are local. Some are farther afield. Without necessarily using special equipment to portray these landscapes, the composition skills of these photography enthusiasts brilliantly shine. Featured artists for “Out of the House” include Janice Myers, Koral Martin, Danny Wilson, Noel Glenn, Debra J. Smith, Jammie Graves and Jane Ballard.
 
“It’s a Small World” at the Carthage Library includes the images of FSPE members who enjoy macro photography. Using special lenses, these photo artists excel in capturing their tiny subjects, which in printed form, really are bigger than life! Macro photographers showing their art in “It’s a Small World” include Janice Myers, Larry Raulston, Koral Martin, Michelle Blackford and Danny Wilson. 
 
            Showing at Mother Road Coffee on the square, “Mean Streets” celebrates everyday life with street photography showing a breadth-of-view from general street scenes to people just living life. Some are uplifting. Others tell of the grittier parts of life. Featured photographers here are Koral Martin, Jammie Graves, Danny Wilson and Jane Ballard.
            Treat yourself to a satellite or two or three. Visit Mother Road Coffee, the Carthage Library and the Atrium at Sirloin Stockade and view the fine art of our talented Four State Photography Enthusiasts.
Next at Hyde House: "Dad & Daughter Dynamic Duo: Lowell & April Davis", April 7-May 14. Opening Reception: 6-8 pm, Friday, April 7. 

Neosho is our early morning destination. Our last time there in the autumn I judged the sidewalk art contest for Neosho’s Arts Festival. This was a challenge, for many participants were artCentral artists—all with excellent entries. Today’s trip will be an easier gig, all about the fun of fishing. I’m here as an observer rather than a juror.
 
David’s nephew, Clint, is waiting for us to pick him up in Joplin. But first, a stop at Mother Road Coffee for their just right cappuccinos (extra-dry, skinny with stiff foam) and a slice of super moist and buttery coffee cake, then we go the back way—across Center Creek and up Zora Road. Fetching Clint, we wind our way south to the National Fish Hatchery.
 
The men, both Navy vets, are making returning pilgrimages to participate in the Hatchery’s sixth annual Rainbows for Veterans, where we encounter artCentral artists/musicians Jack and Lee Ann Sours checking in registrants and handing out tee shirts.
 
In order to keep pristine the spring-fed waters of the Hatchery, each vet is issued a pre-rigged fishing pole and a cup of bait. There’s a limit of four trout per fisher person. No throwing back or trading. You keep what you catch.
 
The turnout is impressive. Perhaps three hundred vets ring the pond. As the sun climbs to warm the morning, outermost garments are quickly shed. David and Clint set up near a copse of lushly fragrant white pines. A lively uncle-nephew competition begins.
 
Clint is first to catch his limit. Soon David’s stringer is full with much larger trophies. David wins. We visit the cleaning station where the job is done by friendly community volunteers who find David’s biggest catch is too large to fit with ice in a regular bag. Naturally, with avuncular humor, David repeats this information to nephew Clint, who hands over his own fish saying he doesn’t want them. Too bad. More for us.
 
After depositing Clint, we midday hike on Joplin’s Frisco Trail. While ambling beside Turkey Creek we conclude we’ve too many trout for just us, so we invite an artCentral couple to join us for an evening fish feast on our deck. They accept. With quinoa and a colorful salad, David’s serves up the beautifully grilled catch-of-the-day.
 
Rainbows are the perfect denouement for this blissful Saturday.

“Can you help me?” cries my friend Julie Yockey, director of our Carthage Library. “Someone’s hurt Alice in the garden and I don’t know how to fix her. Can you and David help?” With David nodding “yes”, I tell Julie we’ll come to see her as soon as we can get there.

Julie texts images to us. Pondering the damage, we’re sad seeing the deep scratches marked into the rich patina of Alice’s sweet bronze face, neck and arm. We’re sad she’s been harmed—sad someone hasn’t known to value and respect this beautiful community treasure given by the Boylan Foundation to enrich the cultural life of Carthage.
                                               
Five years ago, when I first move to Carthage, I take long rambling walks to find the charms in my new hometown. Alice in the garden and our copper-crowned library are two of my first found loves. When I make my Landmarks of Carthage painting series, Alice and the library are included among our hometown treasures that touch our hearts and tell our history.
 
History is important to folks around here—native Carthaginians and transplants like David and myself. Among the contributors to our valuable history are our local artists.
 
The creator of Alice, Bill Snow, is the remarkably gifted shoe-repairman-turned-sculptor. At 74, he passed from among us just this last November, leaving us Alice and many other fine works. Bill will forever remain one of the great among our Carthage art makers.
 
As David and I stand before Alice with her marks, we remember Bill and consider other local artists—possible resources to help restore Alice’s original beauty. We’ve just spent a lovely evening with our talented local legend, Larry Glaze. He quickly comes to mind.
 
When David reaches out to Larry he promises to help and does. Assessing the deep cuts in Alice’s patina created by time and weather, Larry explains the only proper and long-lasting repair can be accomplished by sending Alice back to the foundry of her origin. Though the costs involved prohibit this solution, there is hope in Larry’s hands. With tender touch and the assistance of library director, Julie Yockey, Larry works his artist magic and treats Alice’s scratches with the skills of a gifted healer.
 
Today, Alice still stands in her garden. Her hurt is barely visible. She is still lovely. She is greatly loved.

​Early Friday afternoon just past, Susie Bewick arrives at artCentral with notecards and prints fresh off the press. Their installation in the Members Gallery completes our preparations for Susie’s Opening Reception for “Ordinary Wonders”, showcasing her exquisite watercolor paintings. Susie departs to share lunch with her husband, Tom.
 
Julie arrives in her role as Reception Impresario, followed not long after by her husband, Mel. Julie and Mel, Susie and Tom—this two couple foursome is up to their usual magic—creating with joie de vivre that inspires everyone. Sharon and Jim Patton lend hands and laughter to the Reception preparations and tidy up.  More friends bring beautiful foods to place on Julie’s spring bright tablecloth, centered with Susie’s grandmother’s vintage blue vase abundantly filled with daffodils and forsythia from the Andersons’ gardens.
 
While Nancy and Jeff Dymott greet guests at the door, Susie, radiant from head to toe in white, visits with admirers and patrons. Sales are made by Carolyn Cole and Board Members Jackie Boyer and Jane Van Den Berg, as artCentral Prepitor David Matthews shuffles cars in a pinch. The night is as festive, elegant and fun as Susie’s paintings. David and I depart with the satisfaction of knowing “Ordinary Wonders” remains on view during gallery hours through March 19th.
 
Home again and opening our door to Paradise, we’re greeted by our own ordinary wonders—Ding, our magnificent cat and Chiquita, our exuberant puppy and our four chickie-babes peep-peep-peeping in their pen beneath their warming lamp. The tiny ones are flourishing now, but the story is different when they come to live with us a little over a week ago.
 
A nice man at Race Brothers helps us select four of different varieties. We bring them home in a shoe box and name them immediately. Penelope grows more rotund by the minute. Sadie is little, black and sexy. Bella, is golden with tiny white wings. Hazel we almost lose. She suffers from “starve out”, having depleted her internal supply of yoke. Too weak to eat, she barely has the strength to stand. Swaying, she watches the others. We mix gruel and take turns feeding her little bits from the edge of David’s crumber, left over from his restaurant days.
 
Today Hazel’s eating with the others and learning the social skills of belonging to a happy flock.  Wonders never cease!

 I first meet Susie Bewick after Sunday service in the parish hall of Grace Episcopal Church. Another parishioner, knowing I’m an artist—new to town and eager to make friends—introduces us, for Susie’s an artist, too.
 
Susie’s twinkling blue eyes, infectious smile and colorful turquoise necklace are delights to behold. Her voice is lovely, too. I like remembering her singing in the choir. 

​Over coffee and cinnamon rolls, we visit about her watercolor paintings and how she travels with her husband, Tom, always finding magic in ordinary wonders wherever they go, whether for a walk around the block or a journey out west to Georgia O’Keeffe country. I tell her I’ve made much of my gouache art in the outback of the Arkansas Ozarks wilderness. So begins our sweet connection. I say “good-bye” knowing I want more. This week much more is finally here!
 
Susie Bewick debuts “Ordinary Wonders”, a brand new collection of her watercolors, Friday evening, March 3rd, 6-8 pm, at her Opening Reception with libations and hors d’œuvres at Hyde House. Admission is free. Come meet this gifted artist!
 
Susie’s childhood family was creative. Her mother was a prolific artist: her father, the master of the twelve harness loom: her brother invented his own fireworks. 
 
Life was slow in Susie’s small town. Things caught her eye—a brass padlock from India, a translucent Japanese cup, a perfect milkweed pod with silky parachutes. Some things were so solid. Some things were so fragile and ephemeral. For Susie there was magic in all these ordinary objects. 

            Susie majored in Art at the University of Missouri, married and raised children for several years while always continuing to find magic in ordinary wonders. As her children got older, she took a job as an elementary art teacher with the Carthage School system.
Now retired, Susie’s been painting in watercolors for many years.  With brilliant colors and vibrating light, Susie’s creations joyfully celebrate her discoveries and the things that catch her eye. Her magical watercolor paintings are truly extraordinary wonders!
“Ordinary Wonders” continues on view through March 19th during weekend gallery hours. Information: (417) 358-4404.