Mitch Delk – Mid-Century Modern Moods

This exhibition round includes works provided by Mitch Delk which will be on view in the First Floor Ramp Gallery from November 27, 2024 – February 8, 2025.  Lowe Mill A&E invites patrons and art lovers to join us for Open Studio Night, a building-wide experience when our over 150 studios will be open to the public.  The evening also includes receptions for all seven of our gallery spaces. This series gives the public a chance to meet and interact with visiting artists and discuss their work as it is on display and available for purchase. Come out, enjoy a pleasant evening, and maybe you’ll find that special piece of art that speaks to you!  The Open Studio Night reception is Saturday, February 8 from 5-7 pm.

 

About the exhibit:

These three groups of watercolors reflect my interest in mid-century art and design. Each grouping is completely different from the next, but I hope you can see my hand across the paintings displayed. I don’t like doing the same thing over and over and I like to cultivate different styles that challenge my watercolor painting abilities 

“Group one” leans on a shape that keeps showing up in my work. A cruciform or tribal shape that includes vertical and horizontal lines intersected by a circle. This is a powerful visual and a shape that is inherently good design. I’ve used this shape to anchor a scratchy group of shapes that appears to be floating in its own space. These shapes carry a deeper meaning for me. You can’t get away from the fact that it carries religious weight. But the main goal is good design and a pleasing picture.

“Group two” is a series of “nouveau mid-century” paintings that tap into late-50’s to mid-60’s illustration and art seen in magazines and advertising of that era. I like slightly scratchy lines to frame colors and shapes. Again, my goal was a pleasing picture that is built on good design principles. You will see in the titles of these pieces what they reflect to me. I hope someone with a minimalist or mid-century furnished home recognizes how these abstracts could be used.

“Group three” are more traditional watercolor paintings. These landscapes use easily recognizable subject matter but have abstract qualities because of the looseness and non-photorealistic approach I use. I am not a big fan of photo-realistic modern watercolor paintings. If that’s the goal, I say “take a picture”. I strive (as many watercolorists do) to have a fresh and loose feel in my work, especially those with easily recognizable subject matter. I think this is a worthy life-long quest.

My painting philosophy: the least number of strokes usually wins in the battle to achieve a good watercolor. When I paint, I try to be relaxed. Put on some retro cool jazz and execute my plan. I work from photos for realistic paintings. When it comes to abstract painting – which I dearly love — I have an inspiration and a vision for what I will execute. People ask “What does it mean”? Well, a lot of the time, that’s not clear to me as I am concentrating on good design, use of color and producing something that is pleasing to the eye. But emotion, things in my subconscious and a bit of romance percolate to the top in most cases. I strongly believe in having different styles. I think this comes from college and my days in advertising. Being able to do several looks for an art project has its advantages.

I’d like to thank my parents who were both accomplished artists for allowing me to pursue a life in the visual arts. I like to think the Delk’s were a little bit different. I was raised with a very well-rounded set of interests and opportunities. I’m pretty sure going out to draw a barn with your Dad at 6:30 on a Saturday morning is something that none of my friends were doing. 

About the artist:

I am a Huntsville native and 1988 Graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts – Graphic Design. While my professional career spanning more than 30 years has been as a designer, I have become more dedicated to my fine art interests and continue to paint watercolors with a wide variety of subject matter. From commissions for semi-realistic Army helicopter paintings to landscapes, wildlife and abstract pieces, I believe my artwork runs the gamut of what watercolor can be. I have a studio here at Lowe Mill A&E. Please come visit me and let’s talk art! I’m in #1044, North Building, first floor; near the Cat Lounge.