Friday, October 30, 2015

Visiting the exhibition The Veteran Vision Project by Devin Mitchell

Many students and staff members of the UCM Community, Whiteman Air Force Base, Warrensburg Community and general public visited the Veteran Vision Project Exhibition in the UCM Gallery of Art & Design. Some of them shared their thoughts and feelings about the exhibit. We share in this post some of these comments. We thank all the public that visited the exhibition and hope you visit us again in upcoming events. 

Devin Mitchell's photo essay is extended through November 12th, 2015. Did you like the exhibit too? Leave a comment here! 
"Amazing exhibit, very inspiring!" - SSgt C. 
"I found your pieces to be really powerful."- Dean M. 
"The exhibition helps the reality of our 15 + years of combat jumping right out at you." - Lt. Col Gavin T.

"Devin this is very thought, provoking, portraits. It captures pride, pain, confusion and shame of different service men and women. I felt the full range of each of the subjects... and I don't think any book could have done that." - Arnold G. 

"Those are absolutely amazing! I lost my best friend of 7 years to suicide due to PTSD from the war... Never an easy thing, these are just a reminder of him and the struggle it can be. They are very powerful and amazing. Thank you so much! God Bless!" - Kayla W.

" I love the cosplayers from RWBY, its neat and inspiring to see veterans using Anime to cope with PTSD." - Anonymous 


"Outstanding exhibit which helps truly reflect on the hidden and obvious injuries, associated with military service. It really helps appreciate the sacrifices those in uniform make for our nation." - N.H.


"This is such an amazing exhibition reflecting on the soldiers that have fought for our freedom. I am happy to know I am safe because of the men and women like in these photographs that have fought for our country. In honor of my brother who is in the Navy doing the very same thing, I am one proud American and citizen. Thank you!" - Anonymous

" What a wonderful way to capture the lives of our military heroes. I will be bringing my family to this exhibit." - Melissa W.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Toposcom by Matthew Mann

Background landscapes, birds and geometric patters are some of the elements of Mann's paintings. The UCM Gallery of Art & Design will exhibit in 2016, Toposcom by Matthew Mann. This exhibition includes a series of paintings with different layers. The viewer is left to speculate between the foreground and background to convey meanings. 

Matthew Mann obtained his degree in Fine Arts at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo in 1999 and his M.F.A. at the American University, Washington, DC. in 2002. Currently he is working as an adjunct professional lecturer of painting in the American University.


Toposcom by Matthew Mann

According to Taylor Champneys, Mann's process to construct art work, starts with what he might call his memory of one or more other works he has seen before. Mann's paintings include flat colors, solid shapes creating a classic graphic effect. "The spaces in Mann's paintings consist of a hand-ful of planes, each clearly defined from others, stacked to create the illusion of depth." Champneys said. 


Matthew Mann Studio
Photo by: The Studio Visit

In Matthew Mann's artist statement he describes the references that his paintings take. His paintings are based on fiction, myth and contradictions within the history of images and image making. His paintings explore the illogical, shifting meanings and contexts of art history in an effort to delay their linearity. He uses visual perception, pictorial strategies and the logic of images from different media, to let the viewers create unique interpretations of the painting. 

Matthew Mann Studio 
Photo by: The Studio Visit

What is your opinion about his work? Leave a comment! 


If you want to learn more about Matthew Mann, click on the links below: 

Matthew Mann Blog: http://mattstudioapparatus.blogspot.com/

Matthew Mann by Taylor Champneys http://thestudiovisit.com/matthew-mann/

Official website Matthew Mann http://matthewjmann.com/

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The art of Cory Imig

Objects change through time. Documenting those changes can lead to patterns expressing a sense of beauty and calm when they are displayed. Some of them represent life and time metaphors. This is the art work of Cory Imig. 


The UCM Gallery of Art & Design will exhibit the artwork of Cory Imig in Spring 2016. Her work takes the form of large- scale installations that document time and patterns. These installations are made using common everyday objects like wood, string, masking tape, and balloons. 


Buoyant Loss,  2014 


Slow Release, 2014

Imig is an artist, curator and educator. She studied fiber and sculpture at the Savannah College of Art & Design in 2008 and currently, she is a Lecturer in the Fiber Department at the Kansas City Art Institute. During this summer, Imig participated in a project called Art - Omi. These are some pictures of her experience:


Orange Stick, 2015


Sloucher in Front of Red Striped Wallpaper, 2015

Her work has been exhibited in humorous exhibitions across the United States, in spaces such as Charlotte Street Foundation Project Space, Hardesty Art Center, ACRE Projects, and the H & R Block Artspace at the Kansas City Art Institute. In 2013, Imig was awarded the “Odom/Weber” Echo Scholarship from ACRE as well as a Professional Development Grant from the Mid-America Arts Alliance.

Install shot

1600 Liberty, 64102

Cory Imig will transform UCM's Main Gallery for her latest exhibition. More information coming soon. 




Click on this link to learn more about Cory Imig or watch the video of KC Art News. 





What do you think of her work? Leave comments below! 


By Katherine Urquijo


Thursday, October 15, 2015

Fantasy Art by Dan Scott

The Contemporary Fantasy Art illustrator Dan Scott, visited the UCM Gallery of Art & Design yesterday to talk about his art and his experience as a freelance illustrator in the Kansas City area. Many students came to his lecture to learn more about this type of illustration that today is very common in trading cards like Magic: The Gathering, in role play games like Dungeons and Dragons, and in comics. 

Dan Scott 

Dan Scott mentioned the experience he had when working as an amateur illustrator and how he became a professional illustrator. He said that he had to be very persistent and determined to reach his dreams. The constant work lead him to work for companies like Blizzard, Wizards of the Coast, and Magic: The Gathering. Now, he works as a freelance illustrator from home. 

Magazine cover
by Dan Scott


To create an illustration that will be produced as a trading card, Scott takes about three weeks to sketch a design and about one month to create the final image. Scott mentioned that the process to create a final product starts with a description from the company, he does then research about the elements he wants to incorporate in the image by looking at other images online. He then starts to sketch. 

Trading card Preview

After the final sketch is approved, he starts to add color and details. Finally the image is placed on the cards. Scott mentioned that the details on the trading cards are minimal because they are small prints. For the background, the detail is also minimal but it has to be related to the character. 

Sketch process creation
 and final image

On comic book covers, the process requires some changes. The process is the same as the trading cards, but the details on the characters have to be more noticeable due to the larger format in which comic book covers are printed.

Characters and Movement
by Dan Scott


Dan Scott showed some of his work on magazine covers and book covers. He also talked about the new challenges that digital illustrators face today. "There is a large competition out here… companies will look for your artistic skills first in your portfolio," he said. Finally; he mentioned that it is all about inspiration and constant work that makes you an excellent illustrator. 

If you attended this lecture or you are interested in Contemporary Fantasy Art, leave a comment! 

By Christian Cutler and Katherine Urquijo

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

The Veteran Vision Project and Veterans Summit

Last Friday, October 9th, the University of Central Missouri hosted the Veterans Summit in which Devin Mitchell, participated as a panelist. This event discussed several topics including veterans suicide rate, PTSD, reintegration to civilian life and the many services veterans receive when they return home from active duty. Devin Mitchell talked about how his project has served as a healing resource for veterans and how important non-profit organization are to veterans.

Veteran Vision Project Exhibition 
Photo by Christian Cutler

Todd Nicely, one of the veterans featured in Devin Mitchell's photographs, was also a panelist in this event. Nicely talked about his experience with the VA and how he is willing to re-learn balance everyday using his prosthetic arms and legs.

Veteran Vision Project Tour 
Photo by Christian Cutler

After the Summit, the panelists from The Veterans Summit visited the UCM Gallery of Art & Design to talk about the Veteran Vision Project. In the tour, Devin Mitchell discussed his work with some veteran participants of the project, and panelists, Mr. Ron Pierce, Senior Director of the PBS Veterans Initiative; Seth Kastle, author of the book Why is Dad so Mad?; and other military officers and panelists.

Devin Mitchell 
Photo by Christian Cutler

The tour was a success due to the visit and participation of veterans, students and other members of the Warrensburg community that talked about their experience when the L.A. photographer was making their portraits. Some veterans mentioned that the exhibition was a great way to communicate what they have felt and a good way for viewers to understand what they have gone through.

Devin Mitchell, panelists and veterans Photo by
Christian Cutler
Veteran Vision Exhibition 
Photo by Christian Cutler

The Daily Star Journal, covered the event and explained the discussion in its newspaper.  The article is attached below:





Please feel free to leave any comments related to the Veterans Vision Project exhibition and this entry. We would like to hear from you.


by Christian Cutler and Katherine Urquijo 

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Veteran Vision Project. A Photo Essay by Devin Mitchell


Photography is a powerful tool. It can express the deepest feelings of a human being in ways that words cannot. Photographs then are a tool to convey messages that can describe how humans perceive freedom. The photo essay by Devin Mitchell is an example of this use of photography.


Photo by Devin Mitchell

On August 8th, 2014 the student and photographer Devin Mitchell began traveling the west coast in search of veteran stories in hopes of illustrating these individuals through the art of pictures. The Veteran Vision Project is a photo documentary featuring authentic military service members and their lives. His unique portraits are double-sided visual stories that portray on one side the military life of the veteran and on the other, their routine normal life, the veteran’s loved ones, or his/her true self or personal problems. The exhibition features veterans and active duty service members from UCM and surrounding communities. Mitchell wants to photograph 10,000 veterans to finish his project.


This essay is privately funded and organized by the photographer. The mission of the project is to help veterans heal by providing them with a voice. In several interviews, Devin Mitchell has said, “the pictures spread awareness about the veteran community and the challenges they face during reintegration to society.”


Photo by Devin Mitchell at the
UCM Gallery of Art & Design 

In mid-September of this year, Devin Mitchell traveled from his home in Los Angeles, CA to Warrensburg MO to make all but four of the images in the exhibition. To be considered for participation, service members and veterans were required to fit into their service uniform and be clean shaved in uniform for their reflection photo. The Veteran Vision Project has been featured in numerous media outlets including The Washington Post, CBS This Morning, Fox & Friends, and Buzzfeed.


Behind the scenes of John Mitchel photoshoot
at the Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO.
Photo by Christian Cutler 

The UCM Gallery of Art & Design is Mitchell’s first gallery exhibition of the work. A book of 350 curated images from his first year of photographing subjects for the Veteran Vision Project is scheduled to be released in early 2016.

Veterans and students at the gallery with their portraits
Photo by Christian Cutler and
Katherine Urquijo

According to Devin Mitchell, he never anticipated that the project would grow this much after a couple of months since its creation. Social Media helped to spread the word of this project as well as veterans’ friends and family. He mentioned that he hopes that the project is transparent in its message to heal and show what is really happening in the veteran community and not propagandistic. “I want the project to be an open window.”


View his work, pre-order his book, and register to participate in the project at VeteranVisionProject.com.


The exhibition is currently on view until November 12th, 2015.

Thank you for your comments and feedback

by Christian Cutler and Katherine Urquijo

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Art from Indonesia: Batik Art

Wax, dye and patterns can define Batik Art. Today, our visiting artist in the UCM Gallery of Art & Design, Helen Sanders explained to us her work with Boonville High School art students and how Batik Art is made.

Batik Art is part of an ancient tradition in Indonesia. The batik cloth is very colorful and is considered both an art and craft due to the long process that this technique requires.
Helen Sanders emphasized to her students that the batik process requires them to make several layers of dye and wax to create a good design. She starts with drawings and patters sketched on the cloth and then adds the dye and wax.

Helen Sanders - Batik Art
Photo by Katherine Urquijo

The process according to Batikguild.org to make batiks is the following: After you selected the areas of the cloth you want to draw in your design, you block them out by brushing or drawing hot wax over them, and the cloth is then dyed. The parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original color. This process of waxing and dyeing can be repeated to create more elaborate and colorful designs. After the final dyeing the wax is removed and the cloth is ready for wearing or showing.

Helen Sanders - Batik Art
Photo by Katherine Urquijo

Helen Sanders mentioned that she uses cotton and silk and sometimes even sheets. Sometimes is good to incorporate other media to the batik design to make it more elaborate and pretty. Some students even quilt on them to make them resistant and interesting looking. The art teacher also said that she likes to experiment with textures and then apply those too to create something more elaborate and interesting.

One of the experiences that Helen explained on her lecture was the creation of story quilts. Her students incorporated to their designs poems and other types of pictures using batik art and mixed media.

Helen Sanders - Batik Art lecture at the
UCM Gallery of Art & Design
Photo by Katherine Urquijo

If you attended to the lecture or you are interested in this type of technique leave a comment. We are interested in your feedback!


 By Katherine U.

Sources: Batikguild.org What is Batik?

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Dan Scott Science Fiction Art

Monsters, Super heroes, Villains, Steam-punk machines, Elves and other creatures come to live in our imagination. When we play game boards like DnD, Magic: The Gathering or read comics, we want to show what we are imagining in pictures. This is what an illustrator like Dan Scott does. This is Sci- Fi Illustration and its... AMAZING! Don't you think so? 

Epic Experiment by Dan Scott 

Fantasy Art can be traced back in time when artists treated mythological characters, heroes and gods in their poems, images, stories and myths. During the Renaissance period, got inspired by Greek and Roman mythology creating fantasy art. As a genre and art movement fantasy art wasn't didn't get much recognition. In the 21st century, popular culture has changed the way we perceive fantasy art as another form of expression. 

Against the Odds by Dan Scott 

Dan Scott is a freelance illustrator that is currently working in Kansas City, Missouri. The majority of his work includes illustrations and concept art. The theme of his work is fantasy but also, his work is influenced by comic books, horror, science fiction and more. He has worked producing art work for T shirts, puzzles, cards, comic book covers and trading card games. Some of his client list include, Blizzard Entertainment, Wizards of the Coast, DC Comics and Marvel Comics. 

The UCM Gallery of Art & Design is proud to exhibit the Science Fiction illustrations by Dan Scott. His exhibition is currently on view from September 24 to October 24 in Gallery 115. Artist Talk on October 14 at 2:00 pm.

Dungeons and Dragons artwork by Dan Scott

X- Ranger by Dan Scott

by Katherine Urquijo


Welcome back to the UCM Gallery of Art & Design Fall 2015!

After a long absence, we are ready to reintroduce this new and modern blog to UCM (University of Central Missouri) and the Warrensburg community! New posts will be published twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Art Center &
Gallery Entrance 

This blog will focus on our exhibitions, student comments, artists talks, information about what is happening in the gallery, and upcoming shows. We are starting to use Periscope with our Twitter account to bring LIVE broadcast transmissions of lectures, visiting artist talks and art tours. Another application that we will use this Fall will be Aurasma. Using this application, you will get a preview of our art exhibitions. More information will be posted in our blog and our social media sites. 

Fantasy by Rita Blitt

We have two exhibition on view in the galleries this month. In the main gallery we are exhibiting The Veteran Vision Project by the L.A. photographer Devin Mitchell, a photo essay about veterans that served in the military. In Gallery 115 we are exhibiting Dan Scott's Contemporary Fantasy Art and Illustration. 

Here is some information about our authors and what they do in the UCM Gallery of Art & Design! 

Christian Cutler is the Gallery Director for the Gallery of Art & Design at UCM. He has served as Director of Galleries for Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX; Director's Assistant for The Sir Elton John Photography Collection; and Co-Director and Registrar for Jackson Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta, GA. He has also owned an art installation business. 

Christian's interests and experience are multifaceted. In addition to his work as a gallery administrator, Christian taught introductory and advanced-level traditional photography courses for high school and adult community classes. He also has led archival art preservation and presentation seminars, and seminars on portfolio preparation for artists.

Christian Cutler,
Gallery Director 

Katherine Urquijo is an international student that works as a GA (Graduate Assistant) in the UCM Gallery of Art & Design. She previously worked in Mexico,  as a social media manager in Talleres de los Ballesteros ( Silverware and jewelry company) and graduated Fall 2013 with a B.A. Communication and Digital Media. She is currently working towards her Masters Degree in Mass Communication at the University of Central Missouri. 

Katherine's interests are diverse. She has a passion for art, photography, dancing, fencing nature, social media and different types of comics. She was born in the State of Mexico and she is proud to be part of the UCM Community. 

Katherine Urquijo
Graduate Assistant

We hope you really enjoy this blog! Leave a comment or your opinion about the UCM Gallery of Art & Design! You can follow us in our social media sites. Click on the links bellow.