About the Illustrious Illustrators

Illustrators provide images that spark our imagination. They offer pictures that convey characters in situations, sometimes grounded in place or time. They help the story teller tell the story. Artwork featured by Ashleigh Bowman Campbell, Ed DeCory, Ken Vinton, Alexandra Volkov, and Krista Murray 

ART Opening: August 8th, 6-8PM 

Exhibit runs through September 6th 

Greatest. Stories. Live. That was the title of the Harry Chapin record album that I listened to over and over again as a teen and young man. On it, Chapin sang the heart-tugging Cats in the Cradle about a son who only wants to spend time with his busy father only to become a likeness of him. By the end of the song the relationship reverses. He doesn't have time to visit his father because "the new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu." Chapin also sang the legendary story of an ill-fated truck loaded with bananas that roared out of control into downtown Scranton, PA, Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas. A true story, by the way. These renditions of time as a commodity--of speeding up, slowing down, and coming to a stop--illustrate something that might not even exist at all according to physicists. When listening to balladeers sing their stories some of our joy may be picturing them in our mind's eye. To come along on the ride if you will, and to come away unscathed, but not untouched. 

Illustrators provide images that spark our imagination. They offer pictures that convey characters in situations, sometimes grounded in place or time. They help the story teller tell the story.  And just as the words on the page, they can be read, too. What happens when these images become the spark to new stories? When that illustrative spark lights up a universe of possibility? After all, an illustration doesn't tell us everything. It is an expression of an idea, and engages our cognition. So when we encounter an art work that seems illustrative maybe what's happening is an opportunity to ask just that!

You are invited to PICTURE THIS, an exhibition honoring five "illustrious illustrators" whose art can be used to brightly illuminate our stories.

About the Illustrious Illustrators:

Alexandra Volkov:

Alexandra Volkov is a Pennsylvania-based artist/ designer currently acting as the Marketing & Development Coordinator for the YMCA of Indiana County. She loves being able to explore her passion for visual design while also promoting health, education, childcare, and fitness resources within her community. When she's not marketing, you can find her exploring fantasy and nature through my illustrative watercolor works. Beyond that, she enjoys getting better at bouldering, playing tennis, and traveling to new cities!

Ashleigh Bowman Campbell:

Ashleigh Bowman Campbell is a nature Illustrator and and Printmaker from Western Pennsylvania. Her artwork illustrates the beauty of our environment as well as educates on its importance. Spending her later youth working as a gardener created her strong bond with caring for plants and animals. Her BFA from Edinboro University (now PennWest Edinboro) refined the tools needed to bring her love of nature to life. She built her artwork as a side business which includes: an online storefront, commissions, gallery shows, and selling her work at markets various businesses including the National Aviary. Her day to day is occupied by her duties at Excel Sportswear, a merchandise company specializing in custom shirts designs. She works various positions including quality control, screen preparation, and assisting the production manager. Even with her current work, she missed working hands-on with plants, which is how she also became a freelance event floral designer for GreenSinner. They create lavish floral decor for high-end weddings and events around the greater Pittsburgh area.

Ed DeCory:

Ed DeCory is a local artist of Indiana, PA who focuses in building characters through his art, creating complex figures for the viewer to reflect on. His freewheeling imagination encourages deep thinking.

Ken Vinton:

Ken was born, raised, and educated (high school, BS, MA in Printmaking) in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where he still resides. He has been an art teacher (retired), a contractor (retired), an accountant (big mistake), racquetball pro (not-so-good), an author (three books), an illustrator (13 books), a national speaker on creativity and the gifted (15 years), an antique dealer (30 years), and now, as always, a full time artist! A studio in the third floor of the family home is where watercolors and drawings evolve. Work time is mostly at night. (All night sometimes if the passion blocks reality and time!) "I create because the stories in my head won't allow for anything else."

Ken's work is very vibrant. He is very versatile and works in different mediums. Many of his pieces have a flow to them that allows the viewer to follow his line work or brush strokes. Ken's work is quite spectacular to me. I find that his history in the art world has really pushed his work to another level of fascination. I do not believe Ken Vinton has reached the apex of his work nor talent. As time moves forward and progresses so does his his work as it is assimilated into modern day culture.

Krista Murray:

Krista Murray painted before she considered herself a local artist. Her work is influenced by growing up in a home surrounded by asian and Asia inspired artwork. Her artwork is a reflection of the emotions in the world that she feels and sees. Much of her work suggests a long journey.

Stop by and enjoy the local stories through local artwork!

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