By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Our artist this week lives a more normalized personal life compared to some of our other and upcoming examples of eccentricity in artists; however, her work is unique and different and compelling.  Yulia Brodskaya was born in Russia and by the age of 6 her parents recognized …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Our Eccentric Artist series is getting another interruption this week because I wanted you to know about an exciting event coming to Warsaw. The Lakeland Art Association is sponsoring a fundraising event that will benefit you as well as the art organization.  An Artisan Holiday Boutique will …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Are artists eccentric on purpose?  Studies have shown that we are likely to be much more adoring of artwork when we discover the artist has a fascinating background and personal life. Do some artists capitalize on this to bring attention and money and fame to their work?  …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Back to our series of unusual and eccentric artists we discover a Victorian age painter named Richard Dadd.  Dadd was born in Kent England.  His father was a chemist so there was intelligence in the gene pool. Young Dadd showed promise as an artist from a young …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — We interrupt our series/study of eccentric artists to tell you about one in our local community who is not eccentric but certainly artistic.  Paul Raiman was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., and at an early age, in his father’s darkroom was introduced to black and white photography, …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Not sure if eccentricity runs throughout the artist community in the same proportion as it runs through the general public, but one thing is for sure—there are a number of artists who have drifted off what most of us would call the “normal” meter.  I thought you …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Although the group of seven stayed limited to that number, there were about four other artists who moved in and out of the group while maintaining a steady membership at seven.  One of those who associated with the group for a short time was Canadian landscape artist Frank H. …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association English-Canadian, Arthur Lismer was not only a member of the famous Group of Seven artists of Canada, but he also made a name for himself as the “dazzle camouflage” artist.  Lismer was born in June 1885 in Sheffield England.  An early interest in drawing and art led him to …read more.

WARSAW — Every animal shelter faces challenges, such as funding shortages, staff turnover, community conflicts and limited space. The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is no exception. The average length of stay for most of the directors that were hired at AWL was one to two years. That changed when Darla McCammon was made …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Three different artists have joined forces to create a crisp new exhibit available for viewing now at the Lakeland Art Association gallery.  Explaining her “Not Quite Quilted” exhibit, Teresa Carrano generously shares. “I learned to sew garments sitting on my grandmother’s lap at the sewing machine because …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — The Group of Seven was a small exclusive club of artists in Canada. This group had a great impact on art in Canada, particularly in two of the largest cities, Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. We talked about the founder Carmichael last week.  A.Y. Jackson was another …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association When I went to church Sunday a lovely lady in our congregation stopped me and said she always enjoyed this column and even cuts it out and saves it! Those words meant so much to me and make the work of researching and writing this column on a weekly basis …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Lakeland Art Association recently held it’s annual spring competition. Artists from a wide geographic area submitted entries hoping to win the nice purse that is always offered. The works were not categorized for this show thus all works were evaluated against all other works. The judge was …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Lakeland Art Association will open a new exhibit on Wednesday, May 31 for your viewing pleasure. Remember this gallery/museum is free for entry. They carry much more than nice art. You will find some very nice things like custom greeting cards, apparel, custom made jewelry at a …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association Since I now have an exhibit of my own work at the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery, it seemed a good time to share with you a painting I did a few years ago of two of our pets.  I think you will greatly enjoy this particular exhibit because …read more.

WARSAW — Progress is being made toward Darla McCammon’s dream of a new animal shelter to home Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County. The project has taken years to manifest, but phase one of construction has finally begun. When driving down US 30 you can see the new iconic silo that will form the free-roaming …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association In February 2013 a hacker created a small sensation when former President George W. Bush was notified that his sister Dorothy’s email account was compromised. No, it was not a national security issue, but rather, the world was to learn that the former President of the United States at …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association This unusual canvas was actually a dinner plate and the story behind this dog portrait on the dinner plate is quite a tale (pun intended)!  Pablo Picasso was known as a vivid character and his work has always been a subject of controversy with some saying he was a …read more.

By Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Compare this more formal work above to that of Mary Cassett from our column last week. What a difference! Charles Willson Peale was an early American painter and this family portrait of The Peale Family is much more traditional and formal in spite of the smiling faces …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association Diego Velázquez created this group portrait titled Las Meninas around 1656. This work can now be seen at the famous Prado museum in Madrid, Spain. This painting, considered the artist’s masterpiece, shows us that pets were considered a welcome part of the Spanish court during the time of King …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — This week we meet a beautiful Collie painted on Cape Cod. Edward Hopper, the artist, and his wife spent a great deal of time in this tranquil place. The work Hopper did at Cape Cod was quite a juxtaposition compared to Hopper’s cityscapes with forbidding factories and …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Executive Director, Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko WARSAW — Here at the Animal Welfare League, we maintain a computerized database and do everything possible to help an owner find and reclaim a lost or stray pet. Unfortunately, there are dishonest and unscrupulous people in this world who want to make money and/or …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Edouard Manet was born in early 1832 with a wealthy family and political connections who expected him to continue the family tradition in his choice of career. Manet rejected all this in favor of becoming a painter and is today considered by many to be the artist …read more.

PIERCETON — Donations to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko are about to go even further toward the goal of creating a new “sanctuary” for the animals and people of Kosciusko County. An anonymous donor has recently given the AWL a $100,000 matching “grant challenge.” “This has all come about because of the generosity of an anonymous …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — We will pause in our Pet Portrait series this week to give you an opportunity to enjoy some local art flavor and exhibits that are going to be available for you  to visit. Next week we will return to our fascinating study of artists and the pets …read more.

  WARSAW — The number of community cat colonies in Kosciusko County has exploded. The situation got to the point were Darla McCammon, executive director of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, called in some serious help, Catsnip Etc. an Elkhart County based non-profit that focuses on trap, neuter, return of community cats. A …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — The artist with a pet this week might mystify you if I told you the work was done by an artist named Harmenszoon. With a couple of exceptions, such as Michelangelo and Raphael, we know most artists by their last name, as in Rubens, Picasso, Dali, Renoir, …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — As the Executive Director of the Animal Welfare League I would be very remiss if I did not share with you some interesting art work by famous artists about dogs and cats. For the next few weeks we will delve into some little known facts about various …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Did you know that in Warsaw, a stone’s throw away from most of us, is a little-known locally, but famous internationally, museum? One of the most famous museums in the world is right here in the local Hallmark Gold Crown Store known as The Party Shop. This …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — Born in poverty in the middle of America in a dot on the map called David City, Neb., Joyce C. Hall was named after an itinerant preacher. His father, also a traveling minister, deserted the family when Hall was only seven. Hall disliked the moniker-Joyce- and once …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Lakeland Art Gallery will open for the season with a fascinating exhibit. Dave Taylor is a familiar face in our community. He has worn multiple hats during his life. From positions spanning twenty-five years with companies such as Rabb and Collier’s he developed expertise in those areas …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WINONA LAKE — Did you know there is an art gallery on the Grace College campus you can visit? Located in the beautiful Mount Memorial building on King’s Highway, the Department of visual, performing, and media arts consistently offers talented students and faculty exhibiting opportunities. The current exhibit held an opening …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — When He picked up a 4-inch wide paint brush and began talking to us as he dabbled some of his “happy little clouds,” on a canvas, we (but not the art critics) learned to love watching him. We were fascinated as he worked his sometimes magical efforts …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Artists have long illustrated paintings representing the passage of the old year to the New Year as it is celebrated on Jan. 1.  A great variety of artists and illustrators have left their interpretation of this event.  The drawings vary from almost macabre works showing the grim reaper in …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — We first hear about Sinterklaas or Sint Nikolaas long ago. A 4th century Saint from an area now known as Turkey was known for secretly giving gifts. He was known for depositing pennies in the little wooden shoes that were left for him to fill on the …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Arts Association WARSAW — I have an update on last week’s column. I thought you might like to know that Ms. Muraski’s stained glass window design won the President’s Award at Grace College in spite of the fact she created it believing the person was correct who told her the contest …read more.

PIERCETON — The Animal Welfare League, 3489 E. CR 100S, Pierceton, is in need of warm blankets to keep animals warm in the coming cold weather. With severe cold quickly approaching, the AWL sent out a plea on its Facebook page asking viewers to donate large, thick blankets. While most of the facility is heated, the section in …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Hope you all enjoyed the humor in the art trivia last week; but, now let’s get to the merriest of seasons. There is an artistic technique that bodes well for the holiday Christmas season. In fact, you can go visit a clever and colorful display exhibiting the technique …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — You all love the occasional art trivia columns, so here’s your chance to test your art knowledge. Almost all of these answers have been in prior columns during my nearly 10-year tenure of writing these columns for you, so dredge back in your mind and see how …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Northern Indiana is in for a treat. The Lakeland Art Association just completed their juried art competition for their annual Fall Show. Winners were announced at a reception on Sunday, Nov. 13 at the new gallery location on Winona Avenue in Warsaw. You are welcome to bring your …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Is Fashion an art form? This question has been debated many times. Famous designer Ralph Lauren has said, “I don’t design clothes. I design dreams.” Another fabulous fashion designer said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association In this column I have shared many things during the past eight plus years.  Some of those included my trip to the Louvre in Paris.  One thing I have not shared is the surprising (to me and my husband) spectacle that greeted us when we looked out on the famous …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Once the pedestal was completed the Statue of Liberty soon became an icon to those immigrating to this country. We were a country that offered opportunity. The type of immigrant who wanted that opportunity and supported the country and the freedoms available was gladly welcomed. A famous New York …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association The 12 acre parcel called Bedloe’s Island that was later changed to the name Ellis Island had been selected for the site of the Statue of Liberty, but the progress on the base, or pedestal that would support the colossal work was slowed during the time of the depression. …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Last week we talked about how Bartholdi initially designed the Statue of Liberty but his friend Le-Duc was the engineer who began crafting it into what we know today by proposing a copper skin that would be connected to an interior pier. Incredibly, and to Bartholdi’s grief and dismay, …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi made several early models of the Statue of Liberty.  All were females and were robed in a long gown and cloak similar to those on Roman goddesses.  From the beginning Bartholdi insisted that one arm would be raised holding a torch, reaching toward the sky.  He …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association One of the largest and most famous statues in the world rises like a lighthouse beacon at the entrance to New York Harbor. As this time of remembrance about that most tragic day of September 11, 2001, a day that is etched in the minds of the world, it …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association We will be privileged with two lovely art exhibits this month. Marilyn Kruger, an Indiana native from Akron grew up knowing she would be an artist. She had an aunt who was a professional who taught and encouraged her from an early age. Her first formal art education was …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association If you have read my book, “Diamond Bait,” you will see my fascination with Canada and the “First Nation”  Ojibway Indian heritage of Ontario and other parts of Canada. John and I were recently privileged to return to this spectacularly beautiful part of Ontario for a visit (and a …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association How many of you have or know someone with an old heritage hand-made quilt that has been passed down in the family?  Such creative quilting will be on exhibit at many county fairs this summer.  Colorful concoctions and mild (or wild) designs will be competing for ribbons and honors …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — The Warsaw City Hall has sidewalk art and Seward Johnson sculpture art surrounding it, but within its’ walls you will find the abstract art of Brenda Stichter.  Bright colors zoom off the canvas in a kaleidoscope of intriguing designs. Stichter shares her view of art with us, “Choosing …read more.

WARSAW — More than 230 cats are in need of homes and the Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League is turning to the local community for help. According to AWL Executive Director Darla McCammon, 230 cats recently arrived at the shelter after several local pet hoarding situations were uncovered. The current scene at the shelter is one of …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — The Brenda Stichter exhibit will open at Warsaw City Hall this week. More information on Stichter and her work will be available in next week’s column but her exciting exhibit of abstract work will be open at Warsaw City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Gardens receive much focus in the spring.  In the 1900s wealthy Americans hired landscape architects, a new term at the time, to design their country estates.  The Olmsted Brothers developed quite a reputation for their work in designing these gardens.  The brothers utilized the natural scenery in each space …read more.

by DARLA MCCAMMON Executive Director, Animal Welfare League The smoke was so dense it showed up on the weather radar of a TV station miles away in South Bend. Wednesday evening the big barn belonging to Doctor Brungardt of Lakeland Animal Clinic burned down. The barn housed his horses, some other animals, many supplies, plus hay …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — We’ve covered daffodils, tulips and lilacs but nothing like the late spring blooming “Black Iris” created by one of America’s most famous women artists, Georgia O’Keeffe. Created in 1926, this over-large oil on canvas painting measures 36 by 30 inches in dimension. This is considered one of her …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association If you recall, our daffodil artist Morisot (sometimes spelled Morrisott) was an impressionist. She was a contemporary and friend of this week’s spring flower artist, Edouard Manet. Manet, like Morisot, transitioned from stark realism to impressionism in his work. Impressionism generally has softer edges and creates the “feeling” or …read more.

BY DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Our daffodil artist Morrisott was an impressionist. This week’s creator of the lovely tulip was Judith Jans Leyster who, like most Dutch masters, was a realist. You are viewing (photo provided) the only still life created by Leyster who was considered a Dutch Golden Age painter. She …read more.

WARSAW — Lakeland Art Association has moved to a new location and has more than doubled its size. LAA hosted the grand opening of its relocated art gallery Saturday, Feb. 6. The new art gallery is now located at 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw. LAA moved from Pierceton back to Warsaw for two reasons. One, …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Bernie Mitchell was a drywall finisher back in 1990. You know – the stuff they nail up on the studs to cover the walls in homes. The same stuff they tape up along the seams and then use a product called drywall mud to cover the tape …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — The painting we are discussing this week is, appropriately titled “The Morning of St. Valentine.” It was painted on Canvas in oil paints and can be seen today at the Walker Art Gallery. The work was done by John Callcott Horsley who is also known for designing …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Coincidentally, with its move to a new location, the Lakeland Art Association has received the donation of five paintings from the Stouder family’s local art collection. The art association has been blessed with these paintings, created by long-term member Mary Alice Estep, who passed away in 2009. …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Executive Director, Animal Welfare League WARSAW — Lavinia Fontana was born in 1552 in Bologna, Italy, to her mother and father (Prospero Fontana) who was a well-respected painter in the Art School of Bologna. Her father became her teacher, thus her oeuvre (life’s work) was one of the largest in the world …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association We sometimes feel a touch of envy and disappointment at how easily the children of celebrities make their way into the limelight while others struggle through a far more difficult path to achieve fame and fortune. Cady Noland is such an offspring. She was born in Washington, D.C., in …read more.

(photo provided) KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Though many imagine life after retirement to be quiet and work free, for Darla McCammon, life after retirement meant more time for work she was passionate about. McCammon spends the majority of her time working as the Director of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko. Utilizing her prior business knowledge …read more.

By DARLA MACCAMMON Executive Director, Animal Welfare League WARSAW — It was a dreary Friday night. We stay open until 6 p.m. on Fridays. One staff member and I were the only two left at our shelter. It was well past closing and I had locked the doors and was heading to my car when a …read more.

WARSAW — The pets of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko will be getting a belated Christmas gift. After a recent announcement in July the AWL would soon be relocating a larger, newly renovated facility just across the street from the current location at3489 E. CR 100S, Warsaw, preliminary plans have begun to take shape. …read more.

By  Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of paintings of the nativity. In some of them, historical evidence and the words of scripture are ignored, such as in the painting by Jan Gossaert de Mabuse titled, “Adoration of the Kings.” In his painting, Mary is sumptuously dressed and in …read more.

WARSAW — Darla McCammon is a well-traveled, award-winning artist, author and free-lance photojournalist.  Her work has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, and periodicals.  McCammon authors two weekly newspaper columns and has been the editor of a number of publications.  McCammon collaborated with photographer Al Disbro in 2012 to write a nonfiction book titled Winona …read more.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Rotary Club has announced Darl McCammon as the 2015 winner of the Pete Thorn Award. The Rotary notes McCammon has been instrumental at the Animal Welfare League, where she acts as the director, as well as Walk n’ Wander, an event that showcased statues throughout Warsaw last year. In addition, McCammon …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON, Lakeland Art Association The third Christmas themed painting(s) we are viewing this week isThe Procession of the Magi painted by Renaissance master, Benozzo Gozzoli in 1459. We are looking at only one panel of a large set of frescoes that were installed in the Magi Chapel in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi of Florence …read more.

By  Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association There are many famous and beautiful works of art with Christmas themes. Over the next few weeks I will share with you some of my personal favorites. So jump in our imaginary sleigh and take a ride with me to visit each of the art works and learn a little about …read more.

WARSAW — A piece of art work appeared on the cover of The New Yorker Magazine Nov. 25, 1950, and is worth considerably more today. At the time Ludwig Bemelmans created the Thanksgiving themed work you see pictured, the entire magazine sold for 20 cents. Today, most of any remaining Bemelmans original illustrations or paintings are worth a minimum of $17,000 to $25,000 each.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Michele Wood’s work will grace the Grace College Art Gallery now through Dec. 12. This fascinating author/artist has been given many prestigious awards, including Best book of 1998 by Publisher’s Weekly.  In 1997, she also won The American Book Award. Her book, “I Lay My Stitches Down,” won the …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association WARSAW — Too late to be mushrooms, paintings and sculpture popped out to enter the Lakeland Art Association Fall Competition Nov. 1. Winners were announced Sunday, November 8 at a reception held in the gallery. The works were judged by Daniel Malicki, art teacher at Whitko High School.  Excellent work was …read more.

By  DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Siberia is well known as a vast, cold and lonely place in Russia. In some circles, it is believed it was once connected to Alaska via a land bridge. Siberia is one of the most sparsely populated and rugged regions on earth and yet it takes up almost 10 …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON, Lakeland Art Association Perspective is the rein and rudder of painting,” is a quote attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.  But first we need to know — what is perspective? Perspective is what gives art realism. For instance, when an artist creates a view on a flat surface of a painting which appears …read more.

By Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association We will return to our research on women in art next week, but first you need to know about an exciting new exhibit surfacing at the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery on the main floor. This artist hails from Chicago, Ill., spends summer weekends here in our area on …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Director, Lakeland Art Association Researching information for each week’s Art in Action column is time consuming but it can also be fascinating. I was looking for our third subject in famous women artists and wanted to focus on an artist that was an American. I could not pass up the artist in …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Director, Lakeland Art Association  PIERCETON — Today, women are admitted into the world of art much more readily than in older times, but the fact is, the number of men who achieve fame and recognition and are exhibited in museums still far exceeds the works of women. There have been some exceptional …read more.

WARSAW — Several hundred attended the Ninth Annual Fur Ball Saturday evening, Sept. 12, to raise funds for the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County.

Kim Reiff directs the art program at Grace College. She is currently offering her students a wonderful experience in the history of art by teaching them about famous women artists. She has pointed out that those who study ancient cave drawings have discovered that much of the original art was done by women.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Executive Director, Animal Welfare League Monet’s father was very disappointed in his son’s painting career. He always lamented that Money did not become a grocer. He never recognized his son’s amazing talent and would be stupefied at the value of his son’s work in today’s market. You read a column I wrote …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association PIERCETON — Last month a museum in Copenhagen Denmark experienced the theft of a Rodin (pronounced Row-Dan) sculpture. The bust is called, “The Man With The Broken Nose” (see photo). The thieves brazenly walked through the museum in a dry run about a week before the actual theft, when …read more.

PIERCETON — Watercolor, as an art medium, has always been fascinating to me. Watercolor is also known as aquarelle, a French word that describes this painting method. Watercolor work uses paint that can be thinned with water because the paints are made of pigments that ride in water.

By DARLA MCCAMMON, Lakeland Art Association Have you ever taken a sheet of paper and created a paper plane you could float across the room? The art of manipulating paper into unusual shapes has been around almost since paper was first created. Origami, which is the next level of paper cutting, or folding and bending, …read more.

It isn’t just the sounds of barks and meows pouring forth from the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County. An exciting announcement about the future of the shelter is resounding from its walls. The shelter, which is located just outside of Warsaw at 3489 E. CR 100S, is looking to expand by entering a new …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON The art world is full of interesting characters and strange facts. Vincent Van Gogh, for instance, was known to be very eccentric, even to the point of cutting off his own ear. Did you know however, he was a patient in a mental hospital in the quaint little town of Saint-Rémy in …read more.

The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is partnering with the Warsaw VFW to host the third annual Vets For Pets fundraiser Saturday, June 20. The event will offer something for everyone — including pets. Events will kick off at 2 p.m. at the VFW, located at 1350 W. Center St., Warsaw. Guests are offered …read more.

In the days of famous photographer Ansel Adams the results of his work began the transformation of photography from a simple mechanical and chemical process into a thoughtful creation of art. Adams’ work involved much thought toward the composition, values and general appeal of his creations.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Rucel Martinez (Rusty) was born in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico and lived there for 18 years before moving to the United States to attend Grace College. He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and the United States and is preparing for a long internship in Japan for five months this summer. His …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Last Saturday, award winning artists from all over the area brought new work into Lakeland Art Association gallery, in an attempt to win even more awards. The spring art show at Lakeland is well known for having large prize money and offering many awards to the best of the …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Our vivacious Lila O’Connell will be having a 90th birthday party. I have known O’Connell for a number of a years and her enthusiasm and dedication to promoting art has never waned. O’Connell was born July 30, 1925. She has watched her world transform itself from a society with …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Sean Gordon Murphy is a comic book artist and novelist. Murphy was born in New Hampshire in 1980 in the town of Nashua. Even in grade school he showed an interest and talent in drawing comic book characters. He served an apprenticeship under cartoonist Leslie Swank, then furthered his …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association It is amazing how one thing leads to another sometimes. In researching the Ball State Art Museum and learning about the Ball family, I discovered that a rather famous Indiana artist attended Ball State. I will give you a few clues as we go along to see if you …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Exceptional photography is often included in “the arts.” During the WPA days, a job was offered to one such extraordinary photographer named Berenice Abbott. Abbott, born in 1898 in Springfield Ohio became, much like Ansel Adams, famous for her black and white photography. Adams was known for landscapes and …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association The New Deal was President Roosevelt’s attempt to solve a myriad of problems by offering work to the unemployed from the government through the WPA, and the Federal Art Project. One of the multiple artists hired was Augusta Savage. Born Augusta Christine Fells, this African American Sculptor was from …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association This week, we have an Art Quiz. I went back to some of my earliest columns and dug out some questions for you. Let’s see how good our memories are. 1. Unrealistic art work is also broadly defined as “abstract.” True or False? 2. Contemporary art work in general …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association This week we will continue with our discussion about how art can be a part of your investment portfolio and may often provide some generous returns. Tip 6 Be persistent. Thoroughly investigate art in the fund you are considering. For example, some new millennial artists like Parker Ito, or …read more.

By DARLA MCCAMMON Lakeland Art Association Ann Peperak will be the featured artist at the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery Foyer for the next 2 1/2 months. Her work will be on display daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This gallery is open to the public and free. Peperak recently won …read more.