Super cool, superhero, characters at gallery

Posted Thursday, January 3, 2008

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By Rosemary Arnholt
VIEW News Editor
LAPEER — Cartoon artists from the East to Midwest will exhibit their works during the “Comix At Large: Cartooning Around” show that opens Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Gallery 194 in downtown Lapeer.

The exhibit features a mix of traditional style comic art by a group of New York artists with the more independent styling of Detroit area cartoon artists, said Carolyn McCarter, director, in a pre-exhibit review.

The show also includes artworks by two independent comic book creators from Kalamazoo and others that will hang alongside historic pieces from private collectors.

Artist Matt Feazell’s “Stick Figure Masterpieces,” are his interpretations of great works by Norman Rockwell, Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci and more.

Jane Irwin, creator of teen graphic novels Vogelein Old Ghosts and Vogelein Clockwork Faerie, will hang her beautifully shaded black and white illustrations in the gallery’s mezzanine with her books as part of a “reading room” feature of the exhibit, McCarter noted.

The “reading room” will include comic books and graphic novels pulled together from private collectors in Michigan. Other artworks have been published by a variety of venues including Dark Horse, DC, Marvel, Disney Adventures and independent publishers.

New York comic book writer Matt Manning, Hamtramck cartoon artists Matt Feazell and Sean Bieri welcome the public to a panel discussion, book signing and cartooning workshops on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 1-4 p.m. at the gallery, 194 W. Nepessing St. next to the PIX Theatre, at Nepessing and Court Streets.

“Comix at Large” is on display through Feb. 8. The exhibit is sponsored by Comic Explosion and print sponsored by the County Press.

Gallery 194 is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Details: 810-667-1495.