Blue Moon Gallery presents new “LOCAL PAPERS” exhibition paper May 25

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Blue Moon Gallery is presenting a new exhibition called “LOCAL PAPERS” featuring interesting works of art made on or with paper. All of the art in “LOCAL PAPERS” is created by three regional professional artists: Phil Schorn and Melissa Rasor of Grayslake and Angela Williams Duea of Chicago. The exhibition opens Saturday, May 25, with a reception hosted at the gallery. The reception is free and open to the public from 6-9 p.m.

“Purple Iris” by Phil Schorn, color pencil.
Courtesy of Blue Moon Gallery

Phil Schorn is an award-winning color pencil artist and instructor living and working in Grayslake, who will be showing 12 color pencil works. Schorn’s color pencil art is loaded with exquisite detail creating a sense of allure, wonder and curiosity not just about his impressive technique, but also about his ability to demonstrate the connection between art, life and the beauty of nature.

Schorn graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a double major in Graphic Design and 2D Fine Art. His art has been featured in Color Pencil magazine; Color magazine; Kane County magazine; Sunshine Artist magazine; the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and Pioneer Press newspapers; Fox Chicago News; the Color Pencil Hidden Treasures Book; and more.

“With the color pencil, I have the ability to create the shape, color, and detail that I envision in my art,” Schorn said. “I want viewers to see more than what they thought was there. I like to take what is considered ordinary and make it extraordinary. Most of my art is nature inspired, this is where I find the most comfort, where the color pencil really shines. I want my art to convey a sense of calm and good memory.”

“Chutes and Ladders” by Angela Williams Duea, mixed media collage.
Courtesy of Blue Moon Gallery

Angela Williams Duea is a photographer and mixed media artist living in Chicago. As a child, she learned pastel and oil painting from her grandfather and photography from her uncle who was a professional photographer. Over the years she has explored photography, encaustic, collage, fiber arts and watercolor. Today she spends most of her time taking photos around Chicago or working in her studio with vintage papers and found objects.

“While I’m always drawn to symmetry and geometric patterns, I also love sinuously curved lines, the way colors shimmer in delicious layers of paint, and the way nature interacts with the things humans build,” Duea said. “I believe in art-making as a spiritual act. It gives us the gift of intensely experiencing the world through heightened attention.”

Duea is presenting a series of eight mixed media collages that feature vintage papers including pages from antique books, labels, ledgers, photos and documents from early machinery. Geometry, photography, found objects and the use of words are the cornerstones of her compositions. Her mixed media collages explore her reflections on returning to a time of order and structure after pushing through the disruptions of a global pandemic.

“Grayslake Dog Walk” by Melissa Rasor, recycled magazines.
Courtesy of Blue Moon Gallery

Melissa Rasor returns to the Blue Moon with a new collection of seven colorful and sensorial paper-based works inspired by her recent travels. She uses recycled magazines to create her artwork.

“Repurposing discarded magazines allows me to create something beautiful while minimizing my personal footprint,” Rasor said. “My goal is to bring awareness to the amount of single use waste our culture creates. It is not only the impact of the trash we generate, but also the unsustainable resources we use to create it. I hope to inspire viewers to consider alternatives such as reusing, repurposing, and recycling.”

Rasor has been “rolling” strips of colorful paper from discarded magazines since 2011 to bring her creative vision to fruition. She uses her own sketches and photos to create the foundation of her compositions.

“Everyone is invited to attend our opening night reception on Saturday, May 25, from 6-9pm. Visitors can meet all the artists, enjoy some wine, and experience beautiful visuals that bring joy and positivity.” gallery director Kendra Kett said. “Our events are fun, social, and engaging. We will also have a live painting demonstration that evening with John Kirkpatrick, one of our 2024 Collective Artists. Visitors can see a painting come to life in real time by one of our most talented and popular artists.”

The gallery is at 18620 Belvidere Road in Grayslake and is open 1-4 p.m. on weekends. “LOCAL PAPERS” is on view through July 14.

“Betty’s Diner” by Roger Shule, acrylic.
Courtesy of Blue Moon Gallery

Blue Moon is also hosting Antioch guest artist Roger Shule, “the Matchbook Artist,” with an exhibition of 16 larger-than-life matchbook creations featuring iconic imagery from the ’30s and ’40s. Shule’s collection of supersized three-dimensional wooden matchbooks is a nostalgic journey of both vintage and contemporary images used for advertising services and products.

“Little images that make a big statement is a good way to describe Shule’s matchbook art,” Kett said. “In a sense, Shule’s artwork is saving a piece of history by introducing and reintroducing this amazing imagery to new and familiar audiences alike. Shule’s artwork makes people smile and elicits happy nostalgic feelings.”

Shule’s matchbook art will be on view at the gallery through June 16.

“Road to Ferdinand” by Ginny Krueger, encaustic.
Courtesy of Blue Moon Gallery

“The Subtleties of Love” by Matthew Padilla, oil.
Courtesy of Blue Moon Gallery

At the opening reception visitors can also meet the gallery’s 2024 collective artists who show their art year-round in the gallery. Juli Janovicz of Kenosha, Wisconsin; John Kirkpatrick of Libertyville; and Ginny Krueger and Matthew Padilla of Grayslake will all be showing new art this month including oil, acrylic, watercolor, and encaustic paintings.