Special moments between a father and daughter seem to become more precious as time passes. That just might make the collection of artwork currently on display in the Albany Public Library a little more meaningful.
Albany resident Bill Marshall and his daughter, Alice, have selected nearly 40 pieces of their recent work to temporarily adorn the walls of the upper level of the library. The combined show will run through the end of August.
All three of Bill’s children enjoyed art in their early years, but Alice’s dedication to visual forms of expression has continued. A recent graduate of Oregon State University, Alice now holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis on print making and drawing.
Most of her pieces in the library show are graphite drawings that portray a unique blend of the natural and the surreal. Alice enjoys the accessibility of the graphite medium, making the process of creating artwork something that can be done almost anywhere, anytime. “For me, it is a direct reflection of where you are and what you’re feeling,” she said.
That sentiment may have originated due to the fact that her father also finds inspiration wherever he may be, especially when outdoors. An avid fly fisherman, Bill regularly fishes remote streams and lakes throughout the area, and they offer an abundance of creative stimulation. His paintings and sketches often feature the water, stones, plants, trees and wildlife he finds while on outings.
Attentive observers of the Marshalls’ library art show will find that they both give special attention to accuracy and detail when it comes to illustrating nature. Alice has always been interested in science, specifically entomology. She carefully studies the anatomy of the insects she includes in her drawings to ensure they are technically accurate. Bill, a landscape designer for Stutzman Services, Inc., has extensive knowledge of native plant species that shows in his paintings’ details.
This is the Marshalls’ fourth art show together and Bill cherishes every opportunity to display his work along side his daughter’s. “She is very enthusiastic about her art and works really hard at it, being involved in something creative on a daily basis,” Bill says.
That hard work will continue this summer. Alice will be working in the kitchen at the Caldera art camp near Sisters, Oregon. The camp is close to Suttle Lake and provides art opportunities for underprivileged youth who stay for up to ten days at a time. “I want to help promote the importance of arts in our culture,” Alice says, and helping youth in need while establishing relationships with other artists seemed like the perfect way to spend her post-graduation summer.
Be sure to visit the Albany Public Library at 2450 14th Ave. SE before the end of August to view this special Father/Daughter art display.
