Whether you are a religious person, an art lover or neither, it might be a mystery to you why Mary is a necessary component in traditional Christian religion. Not specifically wanting to get into a religious argument, historically Mary is depicted in art portraying a significant role. Whether you believe Mary signifies the church, our love for God, wisdom, love, purity, knowledge, or none of these, it is important for us to learn, grow as human beings, and expand our knowledge. One of my reactions to viewing icons is to question myself: Why? Who?

Mary Jane Miller, an American artist residing in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is exhibiting “The Mary Series,” icon paintings. Opening Friday, August 7th. www.wadewilsonart.com from 6 to 8 PM at Wade Wilson Fine Art, 4411 Montrose Blvd. The Mary Series exhibition will be up through August 29th, 2009. 

Icon painting is an art form using two dimensional painting with egg tempera, gold, pewter, silver and more, usually on wood panels. It is a tradition coming from the Russian Orthodox, Byzantium and Eastern Europe.

The word “icon” derives from the Greek “eikon” and means an image, any image or representation, but “in the more restricted sense in which it is generally understood, it means a holy image to which special veneration is given” (Weitzmann, 1978, 7) http://tars.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian.

Viewing several variations of Mary of Tenderness, I cannot help the overwhelming mixed feelings of joy, sadness and tenderness portrayed by Miller’s paintings. Mary is timeless and as such, not an easy portrayal for an artist to represent. Mary Jane Miller successfully keeps to icon traditions, magically portrays, suggests and reveals Mary’s window to the viewer. A few of the works are not traditional. In these, Miller takes artistic liberties, but as a whole, the exhibition is an exciting experience into an old art form. The two images I have chosen to show here are traditional and of the same Mary of Tenderness, both showing a tender Mary, but at the same time showing her sadness. Once again, making us wonder, why?

www.wadewilsonart.com

www.sanmiguelicons.com

Wendy Wagner represents the superlative of creativity in Texas. This Austin native and Houston resident has entrapped “cuteness” and pushed it to the extremes! Her paintings resemble dreams and her mini ceramic sculptures make for an incredible collection. Wagner’s soft sculptures inspire hugs of every size! What is Wendy doing? She created the future of “cute”! Qwerkys!

Last year’s winner of the Hunting Art Prize, Wendy Wagner’s work is on exhibit at The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft until June 21st. Her new collection of paintings will be on exhibit in Tokyo, Japan this summer. Wendy Wagner will be the first American artist to exhibit at Gallery Trinity in Tokyo. Her expressions of cuteness and incredible talent in animation have already captured Japan’s attention.

In all my years in the art world, this is a first: An artist that has invented a new art form. Wendy has transformed these characters of her imagination into realities of fantasy. Forget reality television, comics and cartoons. Qwerkys is living within a dream. Qwerkys is reality fantasy! Already an application on FaceBook and soon to become an animated TV series. Wendy Wagner has the next “must have”! Wendy has thought of everything: Custom made, stuffed Qwerkys, collectible cards, lunch boxes and school folders. This past weekend Wendy’s art was on exhibit at Katy’s own Pope John XXIII High School’s Sunday dinner. It was a nice introduction of Wagner’s work to Katy,Texas.

After years of following and collecting Wendy Wagner’s art, I am proud of her talent, energy and focus. She followed her dreams and developed something completely new and fresh. Watch out Japan, Qwerkys are coming your way!

To find out more visit:
www.wendywagner.com
www.qwerkys.com
www.crafthouston.org
www.newgallery.net
www.g-trinity.com

Pope John XXIII High School recently kicked off their brand new “charter” chapter of the National Art Honor Society with the spring inductions of 28 new members. Two senior inductees, Chris Panaligan and Gen McCormick received art scholarships! Nell Bednarz, a local Katy artist, was the guest speaker for the ceremony. 

The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is sponsored by the National Art Education Association (NAEA), comprised of over 20,000 active art educators and administrators throughout the nation.

Pope John XXIII High is quickly becoming an artistic force within our community: Twice winning first place at the Katy Rice Harvest Festival parade float contest, hosting two fine art dept. showcases and the Division 3A district 6 TAPPS* art meet. The Roaring Lions also captured first place in district and tenth place in the state art meet in Austin. Chaired and directed by Cyndy O’Donnell, recipient of the NAEA 1997 NAHS Sponsor of the Year Award, the visual arts department has become quite competitive. Ms. O’Donnell is very proud of what her students have been able to accomplish, something very visible as you walk around the school.

The new high school, only 5 years old, is the first Catholic high school to be established within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in over 40 years, and the only Catholic school in Katy. Pope John XXIII teaches and requires community service projects, even within the art dept. These service projects include: Support the Troops projects, support of the Katy Krause Teen Center, and the Pro-Life Gabriel Project Christmas Card contest and sales. Their winning designs and participation were honored by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo with special archdiocesan service certificates for the past two years.

This year Pope John XXIII will celebrate their second graduation. The baccalaureate Mass will be held on May 22nd at the beautiful Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, in downtown Houston. The graduation ceremony will be held on May 23rd at Pope John XXIII High School campus, on Grand Parkway and Franz Rd.

*TAPPS – Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. For more information please visit:  www.pj23.org , www.nellbednarz.com and www.arteducators.org