“Still Life” by Mike Marth
Mike Marth has been one of my favorite artists ever since one of his oversized canvases hung over my desk at High Plains Reader. I usually favor wildly colorful pieces, so at first I couldn’t figure out what it was about Mike’s predominantly neutral scheme — lots of taupe, brown, black and gray — that I found so compelling.
After gazing at the painting in the Reader office day after day, and after seeing Mike’s work around town in other contexts, I realized that there’s something soothing and strangely beautiful in the textures he creates. And I love the way he incorporates found objects into his work.
Derrick at the Mike Marth Exhibit at Ecce: Art + Yoga
Some friends and I had a chance to meet Mike and see his studio a few years ago on The FMVA Studio Crawl and it was an incredible experience. You get a whole new perspective on a person’s work when you can ask them questions directly. That’s why I recommend checking out Mike’s series of talks at the Lake Agassiz Regional Library System this afternoon and tomorrow.
Here’s the schedule:
Today – Friday, November 2nd Moorhead Library: 4:30 p.m. Bus: Route 1 or 2
Tomorrow – Saturday, November 3 Barnesville Library: 10:30 a.m. Hawley Library: 1:00 p.m. Frazee LINK Site: 4:00 p.m.
Just click on the link above for locations and details. Admission is free.
And if you want to see more of Mike’s work in person, check out his show at Ecce: Art + Yoga.The exhibit closes on Sunday, so go soon!
Ecce: Art + Yoga 216 North Broadway Fargo, ND Bus: Route 11 Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 12 Noon – 6:00 p.m. Admission is free
What do you think? Have you ever been challenged by an artist whose work doesn’t appeal to your normal aesthetic? Did your feelings about the work change with time? You won’t miss a single post when you subscribe to Prairie Style File. Just look for the “Follow Prairie Style File” sign-up on the right side of the page. Or follow my adventures across the Midwest, the prairie provinces of Canada and around the world on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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