MADISON, Ind. (August 2004) Three Madison Art Club Gallery
members Bill Borden, Hal Davis, and Larry Rudolech have
been accepted into the Hoosier Salon Annual Exhibition, which opened
to the public July 19 at the Indiana State Museum. This prestigious
art show is a juried exhibit, with honorees selected through a rigorous
statewide competition.
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Photo
by Don Ward
Bill
Borden, Hal Davis, and Larry Rudolech
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All three artists are repeat exhibitors in the Salon. Their works
will be displayed at the Indiana State Museum from July 19 to Sept.
19. Then the show will be divided into sections that will tour the
state for several months.
At the opening reception, Bordens watercolor painting, The
View From the Casa Rosa, which he created while visiting Italy,
received a merit (monetary) award for outstanding traditional watercolor.
Both of Bordens paintings were bought at the opening, earning
them purchase prizes as well.
While these three artists paintings are on tour, residents of
the Madison area will have a chance to view artwork inspired by local
scenes. These include Davis Hoffman Creek, Rudolechs
depiction of Madisons river walk, and Bordens view of
a back road in Jefferson County.
Recently, Davis agreed to use one of his sons favorite spots
as the location for a painting. When Davis son, Evan, was 12
years old, he and a friend would play on Hoffman Creek where it runs
behind Wells Drive. This year, before Evan returned to the U.S. Marine
Corps, he suggested that the area near Clifty Falls State Park be
his fathers next project.
Davis Hoffman Creek is a large, bright oil painting
alive with pastel highlights. Davis says he enjoys painting reflections
in water. I love to paint light, he says. I love
to paint all the myriad of greens in nature.
The Hoosier Salon also chose a second of Davis Madison scenes.
J.L.s Secret Garden depicts part of the late J.L.
Websters gardens, which are in downtown Madison on Second Street.
For many years, these gardens were featured in local spring garden
tours. I was especially intrigued with the beautiful arbor and
how it concealed and framed one of the gardens, Davis said.
Borden is becoming widely known for his plein air paintings, or those
created outdoors on location. If an unanticipated opportunity
to get out and paint arises, Borden says, I can grab my
gear and be there in short order.
Carney Creek Crossing was painted on a back road in the
southwest corner of Jefferson County, where the road crosses over
a small stream. The time was early fall 2003. The day, according to
Borden, was perfect one of those rare occasions
when everything unexpectedly clicks.
Bordens award-winning painting, The View From the Casa
Rosa, represents an example of his work from a vacation he and
his wife, Sharon, spent last summer in Umbria, Italy. Their home base
was an old farmhouse, where Borden did a number of quarter-sheet,
plein air paintings of the surrounding property. He was especially
pleased with one of these small pieces and chose to do a larger version,
which he titled, The View from Casa Rosa. Thus, the winning
entry came about because Borden got up early one morning and
painted the view from our patio, across the valley with the mist still
in the low areas.
Rudolech, a Madison native, is exhibiting in the Hoosier Salon for
the fourth consecutive year. His entry for 2002, an oil painting titled
3rd and Broadway, received a special honor. It was given
the Popular Choice Award, a one-of-a-kind award determined by the
votes of visitors to the show during its two-month run in Indianapolis.
A graphic designer and illustrator by profession, Rudolech says he
has managed to find more time for the fine arts since the Madison
Art Club decided to open a gallery. In addition to chairing the Development
Committee for the gallery, Rudolech has used his abilities to serve
the community in several ways. Especially helpful has been his donation
of artworks, including 3rd and Broadway, to benefit local
organizations.
Rudolechs newest Hoosier Salon painting is Madison River
Walk. The time is winter and the view is eastward from Elm Street,
with the Ohio River Bridge in the background. Rudolech says the river
has always been a source of inner calm and relaxation
for him. This impressive winter view has whites and warm browns and
grays but little contrast in comparison with his usual paintings.
Contrast incites excitement, according to the artist.
Works by all three Hoosier Salon artists may be viewed
at the Madison Art Club Gallery, 301 E. Main St., Madison. Summer
hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and 1-4 p.m.
Sunday. For more information about the 80th Annual Exhibition in Indianapolis,
contact the Hoosier Salon at (317) 253-5340.