When you step into Hillsdale’s Daughtrey Gallery in the Sage Center for the Arts, you are met with an explosion of color. Vibrant strokes of paint characterize featured artist Mark Mehaffey’s pieces. He uses both watercolor and acrylic to display his artistic abilities, and has both abstract and representational work displayed in the gallery.
“There’s something powerful and inescapable about Mehaffey’s work,” said Professor of Art Sam Knecht. “We see glimpses of everyday life. He’s not counting on lofty subject matter to defend this art, but visual values.”
Knecht is excited for students to see the exhibit.
“It’s useful for students to see an artist evolve,” Knecht said.
Mehaffey’s evolution is apparent in his painting style. Professor Knecht noted Mehaffey’s earlier work is mostly abstract and that now he is transitioning into a more representational style.
While Mehaffey’s style isn’t consistent in all of his works one element remains, whether they are abstract or representational pieces. That unifying factor is his use of vibrant color.
“His representational work is still informed by a love of bold patterns,” Knecht said.
Mehaffey’s use of color and pattern is not the only thing that captures an onlooker’s attention.
“Mehaffey really walks the tight rope between abstract and representational. Therein lies the fascination,” Knecht said.
Mehaffey himself commented on the dual nature of the show.
“It’s a split show, half abstract and half representational,” Mehaffey said.
Mehaffey said he is honored to have been asked to exhibit his work at Hillsdale. He met Professor Knecht through the Michigan WaterColor Society. They crossed paths about a year ago and Knecht asked him if he would be interested in showing at Hillsdale. Knecht put the idea before his colleagues and they all agreed.
Barbara Bushey, Head of the Art Department, said there is no regular procedure for choosing artists for the Professional Artist Series.
The timing was perfect for Mehaffey, who just returned from Italy and China.
Mehaffey refers to his artistic career in terms of brush miles and his brushes have seen many miles all over the world.
“I’ve gone through a lot of brushes,” Mehaffey said. “It takes a while to find your artistic voice.”
This is, in part, due to Mehaffey’s artistic process.
“I’m internally inspired — One painting inspires another. One on top of another. I could live three to four life
times and never finish all the ideas I have.”
And in the end:
“I will die with a paintbrush in my hands. Happy.”
