The South Arkansas Arts Center has announces a new exhibit, "Glances: Fresh Views of Lands and Life" featuring oil paintings by Texas artist V.... Vaughan, which will hang in the Merkle Gallery through June 28.
An artist's reception for Vaughan is scheduled for June 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Vaughan is an impressionist oil painter who paints on location all across America.
"My favorite subjects are in wild places and around the countryside near America's lands, coastlines, and small farms," she said.
She is sharing her very personal journey with SAAC through the exhibition, she said.
For 30 years, Vaughan lived on her family farm just outside of Austin in Manor, Texas. The multi-generational farm eventually gave way to the urban sprawl of Austin, giving the family no other choice but to sell it.
During the final year on the farm, for 365 days, Vaughan painted daily small works depicting her family's own story of change. "Last Year on the Farm" was her story of the passing of America's small farms and way of life.
"I remember every moment of creating each painting: the time of day, the temperature and the direction of the wind! Each was a little 'goodbye' to the place I loved best. Now I release each painting as one blow on a dandelion to scatter the seeds," she said.
For over 25 years, Vaughan has been a part-time high school art instructor in Austin. She also teaches painting workshops all across the country, and will teach at a castle in France this year.
Vaughan will also teach a workshop while her works are on exhibit at SAAC. The artist will share her favorite sketching technique, promising attendees they will leave better sketchers, with the ability to grasp a glance. The first hour of the workshop will be a refresher on perspective and proportion, followed by an exploration of different media for "Grasping a Glance." Her teaching style is friendly and fun, and attendees will enjoy seeing your own success.
The workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information about the exhibit or workshop, call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit saac-arts.org.
SAAC is located at 110 E. 5th St. in El Dorado.
Artist V....Vaughan's exhibit “Glances: Fresh Views of Lands and Life” is featured at SAAC through June 28. (Contributed)