Poster Artist Masters His Craft
"Apples, Pears and a Ribbon" drew a string of buyers in front of Wild Pear Catering & Deli, even at $80 and $85 framed.
"I'm actually a friend of John VanDreal," said John Coggins of Salem, who bought the first framed poster sold.
"I can't afford one of his real ones."
Karl Paulson of Salem bought three framed movie posters, "for friends and family."
He said he owns several originals.
Georgia Coplin of Salem looked for her favorite number, print seven of 500.
"Seven is my favorite number," she said. "I'll take it."
The Salem artist originally had suggested another painting, one with a fish, but the association had a poster with fish last year.
"I said I had painted this one for Coleen," VanDreal said. "They said, 'Yes, that's the one.'"
He painted another one for his wife, whom he described as "very forgiving."
The painting, which VanDreal said is inspired by Dutch old masters' work, shows three apples and two pears, reflected in a gleaming wooden table top.
The original will be on view at the art fair July 18-20 but won't be sold until the art association's benefit auction and dinner next spring.
There are 500 signed posters available, 100 of them framed by Art Decor.
The image also will be available on postcards, T-shirts and tote bags at the fair, which will be in Bush's Pasture Park.
Don Drake, the executive director of the art association, said VanDreal's work is "subtle, but it's old masterish.
"We're thrilled that he's willing to do this, and we got a nice representational painting for us."
VanDreal's work has been seen at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery and Lawrence Gallery in this area.
Drake said the association always looks for a local artist, someone who does quality work and is known in the area.
"There's no overarching criteria for it," he said. "Part of what we're trying to do is sell these posters."
As art fair poster artist, VanDreal gets a free booth at the art fair.
June 05, 2008
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