AFTER HOURS: First Friday celebrates Georgians
On the first Friday of February, within a three block area of downtown, all that was needed was a comfortable pair of walking shoes to see and celebrate the talent of artists who hail from Georgia.
Bill Matthews and his wife, Fran, retired to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after Bill left the retail business -- with an impressive resume that includes banking and community service -- to devote his time to painting. His one-man show of contemporary canvases is on display in the gallery of Macon Arts Alliance on First Street until the end of the month.
Matthews approaches his canvas with the eye of the classical craftsman, building layer upon layer with a palette knife, to plumb the depths of water or to capture the glint of the sun in almost three-dimensional textures. There is a vibrant tension to the paintings, occasionally relieved by a departure to delicate realism, which he conveys with "In the Still of the Night," translucent white calla lilies against an inky sky.
The discipline required, as CEO of the chain of Belk-Matthews stores once owned by Matthews' family, and which attracted the attention of corporate boards on which he served, is now focused on honing his talent with oils on canvas.
Matthews grew up in Macon watching small rock bands play at school dances -- bands that now are legends in the music industry. Although he spent most of his adult life in a business suit, it may surprise his former co-workers to hear him rattle off the names of familiar struggling musicians, and the words to their songs, before they hit the Billboard charts. The secret is out, for all of his paintings bear titles lifted from the lyrics of those memorable dance favorites.
WRITERS REIGN AT GALLERY WEST
While Bebe and Albert Reichert were discussing "I Feel Good," named for James Brown's signature song, and "Great Balls of Fire," a tangible reminder of Jerry Lee Lewis' rousing antic, at Macon Arts, Kirk West, whose photography memorializes the same icons of 20th century music, was basking in the glow of success at the first anniversary party for Gallery West's opening on Third Street.
With the publication of "Les Brers," his photographic journey with the Allman Brothers, life has been frenetic for Kirk and his wife, Kirsten, who commented, "The books are shipped out as fast as they arrive in the gallery."
The well-documented coffee table book and its author have garnered a nomination for Georgia Author of the Year in the Specialty Book category for 2016.
West was autographing books while Willie Perkins, a friendly competitor in the same category for Georgia Author of the Year, signed his new book, "The Allman Brothers Band Classic Memorabilia, 1969-76," a collection of all things ABB, including images of ticket stubs, posters, passes and other treasured mementoes of the band's zenith years. The book is co-authored by Jack Weston, who salvaged every piece of minutiae connected to the band.
Perkins' book opens with an introduction by Galadrielle Allman, daughter of the late Duane Allman, who died in a 1971 motorcycle accident when the band was on its way to the top of the charts.
In one short year, Gallery West has augmented its display of photographs, copies of which can be purchased, with the introduction of artists in other genres for one-night appearances, for month long exhibits or for authors to promote their books.
John Griffin, who joins West and Perkins on the list of nominees for Georgia Author of the Year, in the poetry category, didn't let a broken collarbone dampen his enthusiasm for promoting "After the Meltdown," his book of contemporary free verse. Always eager to entertain and support his friends, his mantra is "the show must go on."
ROYAL VISIT
Stan Mullins lives and works in a 7,000-square-foot, converted cottonseed oil refinery in Athens, where his consummate talent is barely contained. On First Friday, his portrait of Denmark's Crown Princess Mary was unveiled for a limited visit to the Travis Jean Gallery on Cherry Street.
The life size image of the young smiling princess features insets of casual and formal poses as if Mullins was painting a biography of the admirable native Australian who has embraced her many roles with gusto.
Christopher N. Smith, local attorney and Consul to the Kingdom of Denmark from 2003-04, spoke briefly about the role of royalty in Danish culture, his relationship with the family of Crown Prince Fredrik and the connection that resulted in Mullins' commission to paint the portrait.
In the gallery for additional comments on trade relations with Denmark were Kerri and Bill Fickling, joining other patrons to view the stunning portrait signed by a globe-trotting Georgia artist.
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 February 13, 2016 at 3:16 PM with the headline "AFTER HOURS: First Friday celebrates Georgians ."