National Art League Goes Feet First at Exhibit

From oils to mosaic tiles, more than 50 artists debuted their works Sunday at the National Art League’s Month of March Members Show reception and awards in Douglaston, presenting artwork relating to footwear.

The show kicked off late last month and will run through March 26.

“There are three first prize winners this year, but all the artists are so talented,” said Marie Marsina, president of the art league.

Marsina said she also contributed pieces of her own to the exhibit.

 “I prefer working with a watercolor medium,” she said. “This year I contributed two works of art, ‘2 Yards’ and ‘4 Inches, which is a mosaic and ceramic rendition of a shoe and I had a lot of fun creating it.”

Merit award winner Valerie McAndrews contributed a unique piece of art titled “Traveling Shoes.” Her medium was watercolor on fabric, but also included free motion stitching. She said she has been practicing her craft her whole life and also loves working with watercolors and paper folding.

Sheila Blunt, a first place winner in the top three award categories, created a pair of Ugg boots out of ceramic that was titled “Winter Warmth.”

“I work with water colors, acrylic paints and ceramics,” Blunt said. “But I mostly pursue pottery and I am a retired art teacher from Valley Stream. I have been doing art most of my life.”

Several charcoal and pencil artists depicted footwear and there were other artists who created high heal oils and watercolors of shoes and work boots. A few others created paper collage works.

 Honorable mention winner Adam Hardy wanted to try out his creativity with a collage known as “Shoes, Scarves and Wooly Hat.”

“I like being inspired by music and I like to watch my artwork develop a life of its own,” Hardy said. “I also made a collage of the kitchen sink. I see life in mundane subjects.”

Beryl Bush won a merit award for her white and black charcoal picture on toned paper -  “Sculpture Study.”

“This is my first year with NAL and it is inspiring to be a part of this organization,” Bush said.

Honorable mention winner Katherine Trunk created a pencil and charcoal drawing depicted after her own shoes titled “Simple Shoes.” She said she loves working with pencils, scratch board and acrylic paints.

“I have been an artist for over 25 years and the NAL is a positive, upbeat and affirming group,” said Trunk. “I am only a member since the fall, but so far it has been a great experience.”