KATHERINE WALDEN: Travelogue from near and far

The Macon Arts Alliance debuted its November show on First Friday, featuring artists Matt Defore and Ginger Concepcion in an exhibition that records their experiences and inspiration in two vastly different genres.

Whether you are hunting Canada geese on North Dakota's lakes or mottled ducks in the Everglades, DeFore makes the ideal decoy to lure the birds to water. Since 2009 he has carved waterfowl, from uniformly dense cork, Tupelo or white cedar, and finished them in acrylic paint, which perfectly replicates the iridescence of the wood duck's crest, the texture of feathers or the shape of a duck's bill.

Ken Harper, of Vein Specialists of the South, sponsor for November's show, was sharing hunting stories while admiring the woodcarver's handiwork. DeFore combines his passions for painting and duck hunting in "functional art," an endeavor that has been recognized in competitions all over the country.

Much of Concepcion's childhood was spent living and traveling on foreign continents, instilling a curiosity for other cultures that she has transposed to canvas. Her versatility is evident from her fat, sassy turkeys, "Pilgrim," "Phinneas" and "Claudia," dressed in patches of calico, to stately "Wood Hall," a gabled country manor.

Concepcion's "Public Laundry," in Mumbai, and her thatched huts in "Hunt Village," reflect her extensive travels throughout Africa. With the perception of an impressionist painter, Concepcion applied paint with a palette knife in "Tien Mou Village," a serene city street scene in Taiwan. In "Clayton Winery," an exemplary experiment in the cubist technique, Concepcion does not stray from her preferred light infused colors.

FOLLOWING SGT. PEPPER ON ABBEY ROAD

Since the Macon Pops needed a vocalist to sing "Oh Darling," a song recorded on the Beatles' 1969 album "Abbey Road," for their concert at the City Auditorium on Nov. 6, Steve Moretti, co-founder of the Macon Pops, sought video auditions through social media.

Lucky for Abby Henry, she was selected from all of the entrants to appear on stage during "Top to Bottom - Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road," a performance which covered both tracks in their entirety. Mary and Richard Katz joined the throng on the floor to dance the night away for a two-hour throwback to Beatlemania.

Lucy Skye, 7, at the concert with her grandmother Nita Grillot, was tickled to hear "her" song, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," from the 1967 "Sgt. Pepper's Loney Hearts Club Band" album. In several BBC interviews, John Lennon said a nursery school drawing by his son Julian besotted by his classmate Lucy O'Donnell was his inspiration for the lilting lyrics of the song.

Despite its uncertain provenance, the song, like most Beatles music, was affectionately familiar to the several generations represented at the family-friendly concert.

GRIDIRON SUCCESS

Thanks to the generosity of Five Star Automotive Group and the perseverance of John Griffin, we watched the thrilling nail biter game Nov. 7 between the Mercer Bears and the UT Chattanooga Moccasins from the 50-yard line. Armed with slickers for the predicted rainy day, we breathlessly watched the Bears wear down the opposition's offense.

Quarterback John Russ, who started with the new football team in 2013, led the charge early in the game, holding on to the ball and scoring early in the first quarter. To see the cohesiveness of the Bears, the pride of Macon and the joy of a close game in a record setting Southern Conference win, 17-14, against the No. 3 ranked UTC was akin to watching a finely choreographed ballet.

Jagger Lieb's successful field goal kick before half time had the fans in an uproar with Mercer leading 10-7. Nearby, we could see Pat Topping and Chris Sheridan jumping up and cheering with every yard gained by the Bears.

Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb was the best cheerleader on the sidelines looking as if he was propelled by a trampoline when Zach Jackson took the ball back from the Mocs with only four minutes remaining in the game. Offense's Jimmie Robinson carried the ball 64 yards down the sideline to bring the score to 17-7 at the beginning of the third quarter.

Because the day surprised everyone with clear skies, the stands gradually filled for a special performance honoring the Armed Forces at half time. The synchronization of Mercer's band, with the dancers who enacted scenes from both World Wars, was a touching tribute to active duty service men and women and veterans of all branches.

Both Mercer's football team and their band have earned their stripes as top notch competitors in collegiate sports and activities. We were happy to be on hand to see Mercer's bear finally get a belly full!

Katherine Walden is a freelance writer and interior designer in Macon. Contact her at 478-742-2224 or kwaldenint@aol.com.

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 2:44 PM with the headline "KATHERINE WALDEN: Travelogue from near and far ."