September exhibit at the Community Arts Center in Danville

"I Heart Coffee," by Alison Craig (Photo contributed / September 3, 2011)

By JENNY JACOBY For the Community Arts Center Central Kentucky News

9:48 a.m. EDT, September 4, 2011
In a world full of change, it seems one thing remains the same: If you want to be you, be you. 
Oftentimes, artists find themselves creating works within the “traditional” definitions of their art form, or conforming to societal pressures. This month’s exhibiting artists are the exception to that norm.
Local artist Alison Craig and Monica Pipia of Lexington are two successful women with unique artistic styles. Both women were inspired by the fundamentals of art, yet they found a way to overcome the “boundaries” and create their own unconventional artistic styles.  
Sign up for breaking news alerts from WDBJ7 here >>>

Line and color
Craig grew up in Lexington and is a graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla. She has been a mural artist for more than 20 years, and now enjoys running her art gallery and gift shop, Myrtle’s Market, on Main Street in Danville.  
Myrtle’s Market, named after Craig’s imaginary friend and business partner, enables Craig to have creative space to paint, design T-shirts, make jewelry, and sell creations from other local artists. Craig’s work expresses her love of line as well as her obsession with color. Her pieces are whimsical, fun and always-changing. 
Craig is inspired by Maya Angelou, who says to “pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” She considers herself lucky to do what she loves for a living and smiles when she gets to work every day. 
“Inspiration for my art is everywhere I have been and everything I have seen,” she explained. “My art is simply an expression of who I am. I love to draw.” 
To Craig, paintings are really drawings surrounded by color. She loves watching paint flow off of the brush, and never gets tired of the way it mixes and changes.
Craig’s support system consists of her husband, two teenage kids and Ruby, the shop dog. Ruby has enjoyed the honor of employee of the month since the store opened four years ago.
Her show is titled, “My World in Color.” From inspirational quotes to hand-painted dolls, her exhibit remains true to her character and individuality. Craig’s exhibit is composed of works that have never been displayed in public before — not even on the walls at Myrtle’s. The intent is for visitors to experience Craig’s artwork in a whole new manner and perhaps gain new insights.
“I love it when my art makes people laugh and feel good. I don’t try to evoke a deeper emotion than that,” Craig explained. “Though I love to look at a wide variety of art for inspiration, I rarely use any reference in my final pieces.” 
Acrylic paint is Craig’s “perfect medium,” since she is impatient and it dries quickly — plus, it is easy to change. 
“Creating art gives me an amazing feeling of freedom and happiness,” Craig said. “I am formally trained and have been a fine artist for over 20 years, but I still just paint the whimsical images that float around in my mind.”
‘Remaking 
of America’ 
Much like Craig, Pipia’s works are influenced by her past experiences and her enthusiasm for life. This month, Pipia shares her “Remaking of America” exhibit with the community, which fits nicely with the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11, even though she did not plan it that way.
Pipia is a native of Evanston, Ill. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Northeastern Illinois University, in Chicago. In 1998, she was awarded an Andy Warhol Fellowship Grant and attended Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. 
Pipia moved from Chicago to Kentucky because she wanted to live in horse country. She is a horsewoman. “Kentucky, because of its beautiful open spaces, rolling hills and horses, has had a profound influence on my life and work.”
Pipia has exhibited her work on local, regional and national levels. Presently, she is serving her second term as a board member for the Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead. She also has been a mentor for the region including serving as a guest artist at the Explorium.
“‘The Remaking of America’ started with an idea,” Pipia explained. “In 2000, I was the artist-in-residence at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, Alaska. I was there to do historical re-interpretation of the 1898 Gold Rush. However, what really brought me to Alaska was the prose of Jack London as well as the expansive landscape. I was there to find my ‘gold.’ What I discovered was a love affair with the Northwest Coast Indian Art and the danger of the wilderness.” 
Pipia is a self-taught artist with a love for the geometrics the indigenous peoples made. Her experiences led her to create work dealing with America. Now, more than a decade later, she and her artwork have grown. 
“I thought it would be interesting to recreate America,” Pipia explained. “The pieces were originally 24 by 36 and now are 48 by 72. They are not duplicated works of art but transformations.
“Definitions are evolving. We live in a country. We have ancestors. We have jobs and dreams and goals and ambitions. We organize ourselves into groups. We define ourselves, differentiate ourselves but also seek unity. We define and explain ourselves through symbols. Be free to explore the work for yourself.”
IF YOU GO
Both Craig’s and Pipia’s works will be for sale and on display at the Community Arts Center through the month of September. The community is encouraged to visit throughout the month and will have the chance to meet these women during the Exhibiting Artists’ Reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8. The reception is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served.
For more information about the Community Arts Center, as well as its schedule of current events and exhibits, arts programs and classes, visit www.communityartscenter.net or call (859) 236-4054.