House Party

The House Party project began two years ago, when many of us were self-isolating and spending more time at home and interacting with the objects in our homes. My home, built in 1914, exemplifies solid American Four Square design: It was a good place to weather the pandemic storm, in part because the art of local artists decorates my home.

Research suggests that looking at art light ups the same areas of the brain that light up when we’re looking at people. So: Spending time with my small collection of art was like house party, at least as far as my brain was concerned.

If the pandemic permitted, I might have had everyone over for a party. Instead, I began making paintings that responded to what their work said to me. I started painting portraits of my house inspired by the styles of a dozen local artists. That’s what you see in this collection.The series includes twelve portraits of my home, each responding to the style or emotion prompted by a different local artist.

• Aaron Jackson Bowman: Known for a "looseness of line" and playful, sophisticated work.
• Barbara Haynes: A mixed-media artist who focuses on abstract compositions, often featuring Kansas prairie landscapes.
• Curt Clonts: An active member of the Wichita art scene, recognized for a gentle color palette and varied motifs.
• Curtis Haynes: Known for reverse-technique paintings on acrylic panels, often utilizing iridescent paints.
• David Murano: A sculptor whose wire work inspired the use of wire as "line" in my house portrait.
• Delilah Reed: Famous for vibrant murals, including those on the Caldwell Murdock building.
• Julie Rippy: An artist who creates fantastical landscapes; my homage incorporates engineering schematics and surface scraping.
• Richard Crowson: An editorial cartoonist turned painter with a Mid-Century Modern aesthetic.
• Rebecca Hoyer: Known for unique cityscapes and murals that changed how I perceive the College Hill neighborhood.
• Ranal Harrell Young: A mixed-media artist who arranges found materials like postcards and pottery shards on wood panels.
• Randy Regier: A fabricator of nostalgic, 1950s-inspired toys and installations.
• Tyleciea Zachry: A digital artist specializing in augmented reality and interactive projects.m

You can view a pdf booklet about the show here.