On Display: Americana, rural landscapes come through in work by Larry Carver

Painter Larry Carver is a lifelong Cole County resident whose realist paintings can reflect both rural landscape settings and Americana culture.

"I often paint of days gone by in a setting of rustic rural architecture or of flora and fauna capturing mood and color in a narrative scene," Carver said.

A self-taught artist, Carver said he has worked in oils, pointillism pen and ink and watercolor, though he primarily works in acrylics.

"Each painting should make the viewer pause and inject his own storyline to the scene captured in a single frame," he said. "I choose to do paintings in which color harmonies and mood set the scene."

Carver often tries to paint in a realistic fashion to capture animals or flowers in a way that features the camouflage and habitat they thrive in. It's his love of the outdoors that comes across in each, he said.

He said he likes to continue his art education almost daily by watching other artists paint and developing a background in art history, noting "it is essential to see what paintings survived the wrath of critics and the attention of collectors."

Carver's painting "Luna Landing" was done as a tribute to the space race, as it shows a 1959 Cadillac convertible heading to the moon on a windswept cloudy night, with "moon flowers" as shooting stars and a "luna moth" hitching a ride. Carver noted the painting can be viewed on his wife, Cindy Powell Carver's, Facebook page, where he has set the scene as a short music video.

That Facebook page also contains videos of other acrylic works, including "Seasons in the Sun," and these instructional videos will walk you through his most requested paintings one element at a time, allowing you to produce your own versions.

Congratulations to Carver as his piece, "The Game of Their Lives," has been published in the "North Light Book" published by AcrylicWorks6 this month and available on Amazon.

Mid-Missouri art happenings

Tune in to JCTV to see Rick Jey host "Spot Light On The Arts," a 30-minute interview of one artist, and "Mid-Missouri Art News," which features two guests in 15-minute interviews. Find JCTV on CenturyLink and Mediacom, as well as on YouTube.

Columbia Palette (Plein Air Painting) is a group that meets each week to paint in different places. Members are of different backgrounds and experiences. All benefit from this sharing of ideas, techniques and materials. Painters primarily work alone. Painting as a group gives each a chance to interact with artists, to hear their encouragement and constructive criticism. These artists are plein-air painters, and the group paints outdoors as often as possible. Find out more at columbiapalettepainting.weebly.com.

Through Aug. 6, the Capital Arts Gallery "Creative Collaboration" exhibit will have art made by groups of artists, not just one artist. This collaboration of multiple artists opens new perspectives on the same themes. A reception will be held 1-4 p.m. July 14 at CAG, 1203 Missouri Blvd.

Once "summer" is here, I always want to remind everyone about "The Imagination Station" in Capital Arts Gallery. This is an existing experience for the whole family or just individually. For $1 per person, a whole group may try one of their many prearranged art projects. You can paint a picture of many kinds; ceramic bowl painting is also available. A fully-stocked art studio is waiting for you to have a great time at "The Imagination Station" in Capital Arts Gallery. Call 573-635-8355 for more details.

The Columbia Art League "Members Summer Open" is through Aug. 9. This exhibit features the artwork of the many members of CAL, and it is open 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at 207 Ninth St. in Columbia. Call 573-443-8838 for more details.

The JCAC Featured Artist through Aug. 7 will be artist Kathleen Dake. You may view a collection of Dake's artwork at the Department of Motor Vehicles, 1617 Southridge Drive. Also, find her as Featured Artist at the JCAC website, jeffersoncityartclub-missouri.com

Check back to see Dake featured in an upcoming On Display and in an upcoming interview with Rick Jey.

Artist Gary Cadwallader also has very basic design, drawing and watercolor demos on YouTube, using regular watercolors; look for the G logo.

Artist David Carter will be the Sedalia Visual Art Association Featured Artist through Aug. 18. The association maintains a rotating art exhibit at Sedalia City Hall, 200 S. Osage Ave.

"This is rare for us to have just one artist, but I feel that it's worthwhile in this case," association President Linda Hoover said. "He'll be bringing pieces from his series on Missouri Mills, and I think people will find this very interesting - to see the area filled with many Missouri Mills. It's going to be a great show."

The association meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the annex to the Central Bank building, 403 W. Broadway Blvd.

An exhibit will be at the Goddard Gallery of Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, State Fair College, Sedalia, through Aug. 18. For more information, call 660-458- 6575 or 660-238-6242 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

The Village Art Studio's "Summer Art Camps" for 2019 are each for seven weeks. All camps are geared toward ages 6 and older. Each camp is $125 per session. It runs 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 1-4 p.m. For July 8-12, the theme will be African Animal Safari. For July 15-19, the theme will be Lakeside Summer; July 22-26 is Ole' Mexico. For July 24-28, the focus will be on CreaTeen for Middle School and High School. Both studios offer birthday parties for all ages at 1502 E. High St., Suites 40 and 60. Call Ann for more information at 573-230-1414.

The Silver Smith's Design Company specializes in personalized jewelry made of silver and precious stones. Sarah Smith is an accomplished artist/painter.

The Smiths make fork and spoon rings, which may be made from your own antique silver, or you can choose from their extensive selection. Debbie Smith designs and re-designs handmade clothes, which may be made from your own clothes. The company has a shop in Tipton at 11272 U.S. 50, though they are closed throughout July. For more information, find the Silver Smiths on Etsy, Facebook or Instagram.

Jimmy Mustion is a professional artist, who is involved in area organizations and galleries.