Calef Brown and Jason Limon’s current exhibit “Future Visions” at the 4th Wall Gallery in Dallas will not only pique your artistic interests, their works may also disturb and delight you. Limon’s haunting pieces emote imagery from another time and place. His detail and design are reminiscent of M.C. Escher, with the graceful fluidity of Erte’s figures. No matter how close you look at his canvases, you may never know what is behind each mask.
More Than Meets the Eye
Upon entering the Gallery, an artist is seen standing by his work. The two seem in synch somehow. Hidden, subdued, yet powerful. Perhaps that is why it is not surprising to hear San Antonio native Limon says that his work is like him in many ways. After spending more than 10 years in the graphic-design industry, he took his knowledge and returned to his true passion – drawing. Limon describes his art as a progression and says that his current pieces are very organic in feel. Much of the items on display contain imagery of creatures found in nature. It is the eyes of each animal that strikes you. They seem to follow you and piercingly gaze at the viewer. With beaked noses and feathers predominantly featured in numerous paintings, it is a logical assumption that one is looking at birds or animals. But upon closer examination, it is revealed that the animal exterior is really a mask, and we are unable to see what or who is underneath the mask.
There is an enormous sense of irony in Falling. To simply tell you the title, one may envision a painting with motion in it. In actuality, it appears as though an ornate Erte-esqe figure is up against a tribal shield. The figure has fish, reptilian and bird characteristics, yet the body is drawn in a fluid and beautiful manner. The most disturbing aspect of the piece is not the imagery, which works. It is the deep piecing eyes behind the mask that draw you in. This is true for almost all of Limon’s work.
Limon indicates that the beings under each mask are intentionally hidden and do not necessarily want to come out, leaving the viewer to wonder about who or what is being hidden. It is very apparent that his talent, like his art, is fluid and translates across different mediums. Limon’s haunting pieces will have you wondering about their meanings long after you’ve left the exhibit.
Opening Up Your Imagination
Award-winning and beloved writer and illustrator Calef Brown sits quietly in the next room, signing a large stack of his childrens books. He is surrounded by photos of his colorful, entertaining and curious paintings. Brown finds his inspiration in the world around him. Three of his books were written during trips to India.
As a man who loved mythical creatures and Greek and Roman monsters as a child, many of his pieces are manamals … a combination of both man and animal. Brown is not interested in creating illustrations and books that nod and wink at parents and go over a child’s head. He wants to target his work to children and draw them in with positive, smart artistic images.
Brown delighted fans with his illustrations for The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. The Gallery is displaying numerous images from this book.
In Hound’s Revenge, Brown has used numerous colors and patterns that will stimulate your imagination. Even though the hound is a still image, the viewer can sense that the he is about to take his next step. The dog appears to be caught midstride. Brown has also used size and color distortions, revealing that everything in the story is not as it seems. It is easy to see how Brown’s work is reminiscent of previous authors like Shel Silverstein and Maurice Sendak. He is an artist who is not afraid to show that it’s okay to not be status quo. Brown's use of color and balance stimulate your thinking and many pieces will make you smile and perhaps remind you of some of your favorite childhood characters. Brown’s diverse scope of work is not limited to childrens books. His illustrations have been used in a wide range of mediums, ranging from CDs, magazines and promotional products. Brown does not plan his characters or know what he’s going to draw until he’s completed his work. He describes it as a Ouijai board process, where he never knows what’s in his head until it’s on the paper. Although Brown may not necessarily know what’s coming next, I see him continuing to provide hours of joy and adventures for kids in his future.
Brown spoke with SkyTram about one of his favorite pieces, Red Griffin.Published 10/9/09
