Elbow Lake artist opens solo show.

By C.A. Ray

March 27, 2013

 

Elbow Lake artist Michael Weatherly will be features in a solo exhibition of his latest works “figures and Faces” at the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) in Morris from April 2 through May 15.

Weatherly, 48, was born in Holland, Minnesota and went to school in nearby Pipestone. It was a high school art teacher who encourages him, saying he had talent in art. Still, when he enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Morris, he planned to major in computer science. “But after the first class, I switch to art,” he said with a laugh. Weatherly graduated in 1993 with a BA in Art History and a minor in studio art. He also played on the University’s baseball team.

While his switch to art was a decision he never regretted, he soon learned that he was not going to be able to make a living at it. In his life he has tried a variety of things in order to become “well rounded” he jokes. Weatherly has been a bartender and a golf pro, working at golf courses on Lake Minnewaska and in the Twin Cities. Currently he is a technical writer for Superior Industries in Morris.

Weatherly and his fiancé, Nichole, moved to Elbow Lake in 2010. Two of her four children are students at West Central Area, Weatherly’s daughter is a sophomore at UMM. “It made sense for us to move to Elbow Lake. I can drop off or pick up kids at the school in Barrett on my way to and from work.” The couple recently purchased a home in Elbow Lake, and Weatherly plans to convert the attic into a studio.

As an artist, Weatherly has concentrated on mono-prints, making prints by painting on Plexiglas, applying paper and running it through a press. Unlike lithographs, etching or woodcuts, in mono-printing only one image sis produced per print run. In his latest work, he is experimenting with multi-media mono-prints, incorporating stencils and/or string.

Many of his vibrant prints are of religious nature, especially the crucifixion. The theme and colors reminds the viewer of stained glass windows in a modern church.

The Art History major says although he is Catholic, he is not especially religious. “Its just that throughout history, religious themes were always favored by painters”. His more recent work, however, are studies of abstract faces and human figures and incorporate digital images, often painting over them.

Although Weatherly has exhibited nationally, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Giles Gallery in Richmond, Kentucky, this will be his first solo show that feature only his work. Weatherly is also a recipient of several grants including the McKnight Foundation and the Lake Region Arts Council. “I do art for personal enjoyment, I never planned on making a career out of it,” he said. “I like trying other things. I had an art teacher tell me, “if you are an artist, you are an artist no matter what else you do.’” With Nichole finishing cosmetology school soon the couple would eventually like to own a salon and Michael would transition to doing more art. “I like to work and show my art. It’s great that I finally have enough work for a show.”

There will be an opening reception and a chance to meet Weatherly at the PRCA, on Thursday, April 4th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. the gallery is located at 630 Atlantic Ave. downtown Morris.