Recent and Upcoming Art Activities

There have been so many cool art happenings during the last month that I have not even had time to mention them here! It's great to be a part of so many artistic events, and thanks to everyone who has purchased my art!! Special thanks to Chalet Arts for the wonderful framing and printing they have done for me!! 

A picture of me and a recently finished "Blue Angel", which I sold almost right away! Thanks 

Sunday Funday

Our final Sunday Funday of the year was on November 12. We wrapped up about dark, but not before enjoying great tunes and selling some art! Thanks so much to everyone who came out and supported us in one way or another!

 A picture of the MacGown Art tent just after set up

The MacGown Art tent with Joseph MacGown in corner and Bonnie Brumley just behind him

Pop-Up Art Show at the Pop Porium 

On December 2,  from 12 to 6 pm, we had Pop Up art show at the Pop Porium, a cool popcorn shop on Main Street. In addition to various art vendors, we had live music the entire afternoon performed by some great local talent!! Thanks to Rosa Dalomba, owner of the Pop Porium, for letting us take over her shop!! And thanks to Chalet Arts for the printing and framing that they have done for us!!

Laurs and Blair

Laurs and Ella

MacGown Art corner

Bert Montgomery peddling his books

One man show at Itawamba Community College 

I had a one man show at the Itawamba Community College Art Gallery in Fulton, MS from November 6 through December 6, with a closing reception and gallery talk on December 6. I enjoy talking with art students a lot and hopefully I remind them that it's ok to be unique! Thanks to Shawn Whittington for inviting me over for this exhibition. 

Some of the art students lounging about as I talked about art

Folks checking out my weird art

Dreams and Divinities Show in Colombia 

The international Dreams and Divinities art group had an interesting mural and poster event in Rio Dond Diego, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia from 9 to 16 December, 2017. My art was among the work of other fantastic artists from around the world. Thanks to organizer Liba Waring Stambollion for including my work in the event! 

Event Poster! 

Upcoming Solo show at Hinds Community College 

I have an upcoming solo exhibition at the Marie Hull Gallery at Hinds Community College  from January 8 to February 15, 2018. As with the Itawamba show, I will give a gallery talk to students and whoever else wants to hear it during the closing reception! 

Most of the art I am taking is ready to go!! 

Joseph H. MacGown Solo Show at the Rosenzweig Center, Columbus, MS in January 

My son Joseph H. MacGown was invited to have a one man exhibition at the wonderful and spacious Rosenzweig Arts Center (RAC) located on Main Street in Columbus, MS for the entire month of January, 2018!! An opening reception will be held at 5:30 PM on January 4th! I don't recall anyone as young as him having a solo show there before, so this is a great opportunity for him. It's also a perfect opportunity to viewers to see lots of his original work. In addition to his originals,  he will have numerous reproductions available for sale! Thanks to Lynn Brown, RAC director, for making this possible!  

Some of Joseph's prints 

Joseph MacGown painting

Recent and upcoming MacGown Art Events!!

Meridian Art Walk, 7 October 

I had a great time at the artwalk in Meridian on Saturday, 7 October. We had a nice assortment of artists set up with their wares in front of the Union Station Depot on Front Street. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us!!!

My tent just after I set it up at the Meridian Art Walk

Meridian Bi-State Art Competition, Meridian Museum of Art 

Following the art walk, I headed over to the Meridian Museum of Art for the reception for the annual Bi-State Art Competition. This was a great show and I was happy to have had two pieces accepted into it. One of mine won an achievement award! Yay. Here are the pieces I had in the show!

Halloween Art Show: Creepy Carnivale, Meridian, MS

On the night of 26 October, Joseph and I joined some other weirdos for the Halloween Art Show: Creepy Carnivale  in downtown Meridian, MS. This was a one night only Halloween themed art event with some truly amazing artwork and assorted other  coolness! The event was from 6–10 PM. Thanks to everyone who came out and bought stuff from us!!

Joe MacGown at the Creepy Carnivale

Joseph MacGown at the Creepy Carnival

Another view of the MacGown Art setut

SAAC Abstract Art Show, Main Street, Starkville, MS

The Starkville Area Arts Council's Abstract show has been running since 11 September, but will only be up until 5 PM on Monday, 6 November. So, basically you have today and Monday left to check out the exhibit. Unfortunately, the venue is not open on weekends or after 5 PM.

Joe MacGown posing with his work 

Joseph MacGown and friends near some of Joseph's work

Insect Show extended at Louisiana Art and Science Museum in Baton Rouge, LA

My five insect illustrations will remain on display for a few more months at the insect themed show at the Louisiana Science and Art Museum! Check them out if you are in the area!

One man show at Itawamba Community College!!

I am having a one man show at Itawamba Community College from 6 November through 5 December! I will give a talk about my art at the closing reception at 4 PM on 5 December. Come out and learn all about my weird art stylizations and enjoy the refreshments! Thanks to Shawn Whittington for inviting me and thanks to Chalet Arts for their continued support!

Here is a preview of some of the things I will bring for the show.

Sunday Funday coming up on 12 November, 2017

Don't miss our  last Sunday Funday on 12 November from 12-6 PM in the Cotton District!! We will again have spectacular live music, cool art, vinyl record sales, popcorn, and more!!!

Poporium Pop-Up Art Show at the Poporium in Starkville, MS, 2 December 2017

From 12 to 6 PM we will be having a super sweet pop-up art show at the Poporium on Main Street in Starkville, MS. Several artists are already  committed to participate and we will have live music by some wonderful Columbus and Starkville musicians!!! So book your  calendars and come by for popcorn, refreshments, live music and great local art!!

Columbus Art Walk was great, Meridian Artwalk Next!

We had a great time at the artwalk at Books & Boards in downtown Columbus this past Thursday! Thanks for hosting us  and thanks to everyone who came and checked out our art!!

Some folks at the artwalk! 

greenness is goodness

No slowing down for us - We will be at the Meridian Artwalk at Union Station this Saturday, October 7 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Come see us if you are there! There are some wonderful artists in Meridian, and we are fun too.

Joseph at a recent Meridian Artwalk

Following the artwalk, we will head to the Meridian Museum of Art for the 44th Annual Bi-State Art Competition Reception from 2 to 4 PM. I had two weird pictures accepted in the show, "The Board of Aldermen" and " Pentamerous Archetypes". This is always a great show, and Saturday is the last day of the show. Come check it out!!

Pentamerous Archetypes 

Board of Aldermen

As always, I am working on plenty of things in my studio. Most recently I have been working on a colorful lobster drawing/painting on wood. As with many of my recent pictures, I am using a variety of colored India inks, which I apply with both brushes and pens. Here are a few progress shots!

Of course, Halloween is coming up, so I am also doing some basic decorations for the yard and house. Just started a few wooden cutouts.

Frank, Pumpkin-head, and Bob

I do love this time of year, not so much because of the holidays, but because its so nice outside! I try to walk along my trails at least daily. Just finished replacing two wooden bridges over a creek in the woods. Here are a couple of views of the trail.

MacGown Art at Books & Boards, Columbus Art Walk, Thursday 5:30-7:30

Joseph and I will be set at Books & Boards on Main Street, Columbus this Thursday, September 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM as a part of the Columbus Art Walk! If you happen to be in Columbus, come by and see us and hang around this relatively new cool book store. Also, numerous other downtown businesses will be a part of the Art Walk.

A view of folks having fun at Books & Boards

Last week was fairly busy with the Bulldog Bash Vendor Market in downtown Starkville on Friday and the Sunday Funday in the Cotton District, the latter of which is getting better every time! Here are a couple of pictures from the Bash and Sunday Funday.

Bulldog Bash with Noah, Joseph, Pops, Ella, Lindsay, and me (right) (Photo by Luisa Porter)

Our tent just after setup at the Bash

A view of one of our tents at Sunday Funday

inside of our tent at Sunday Funday

Upcoming Art events in the Starkville area

We had a great time at the Prairie Arts Festival this past Saturday selling and showing our weird art. In general, the Prairie Arts Festival has become less of an art festival and more of a craft/clothing/food vendor event, but there are still a few artists participating. Although, we did note that many of the artists have added t-shirts to their sales, which I suppose basically signifies the end as far as this being an art festival that attracts art buyers. For sure that was the case this year, with what appeared to be a smaller crowd that was not into buying art. We did sell a few prints though, and in general we again shared our weird art with the predominantly ultra conservative West Point folks. Believe me, we had some awkward conversations! On a positive note, the weather was great, and I won first place in the drawing/mixed media division of the juried show!

First place in drawing/mixed media with "Chance Meeting"

Our tent setup early in the morn. Joseph in the back trying to wake up. 

We again have lots going on this week in Starkville beginning with the opening reception for the Starkville Area Arts Council's Abstract Show this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at 200 Main Street. Both Joseph and I have three pieces each in this show, and several other local artists will also have their works on display. Food and wine will be available during the reception. The show will be up for a couple of months if you can't make the opening. 

The Bulldog Bash Vendors Market will be held this Friday afternoon from 2 to 6 on Main Street! Joseph and I will have a tent of our triptacular art on the street out in front of the Book Mart! Come see us and the other vendors (almost 40 vendors), then hang around for the free concert starting at 7 PM. Read more about Bulldog Bash on their website. 

The next Sunday Funday is this weekend from 12 to 6 PM. As usual, we will be set up with the other vendors along Grand Ru du Fromage in the Cotton District with live music and lots of fun times. Our other Fundays were on the fourth Sunday of the month, but this one and the next two are being held on home football weekends for big games. So, come see us and the others and hang out Sunday afternoon! 

If you happen to be in Meridian, stop by the Meridian Museum of Art and check out the BiState Competition that is currently on display there. I had two pictures accepted into the show, "Board of Alderman" and my triptych "Pentamerous Archetypes." This show is up until October 7, when the winners will be announced during a late afternoon reception! 

Board of Alderman, ink on wood (3 x 4 feet), 

Pentamerous Archetypes, outside closed, ink on wood 

Pentamerous Archetypes, open view of the inside, ink on wood (about 24 x 40 inches)