Granaman leads October gallery events

FORT MADISON - The FMAAA Art Center will be hosting new images from old friend and longtime supporter, photographer Jerry Granaman, for the month of October. Everyone is invited to the Opening Reception of 45inch Perspective on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 825 Avenue G in Fort Madison. Granaman’s keen eye and patient process produces exceptional imagery. Vivid shapes stand in stark relief. Colors pop. There is a story to be told from the expressiveness of Granaman’s work. This exhibition was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Green Oak Development.

Jerry Granaman is a self-taught fine art and landscape photographer, developing his craft for over four decades. He has been published in magazines, books and newspapers. His work has shown in galleries in Iowa, Illinois and Louisiana, and he continues to sell work nationally and internationally through direct and online sales. The FMAAA is always delighted for the opportunity to host Granaman’s work given the caliber of the show that he brings. His images of Louisiana and New Orlean’s are so distinct. His work of the Midwest is relatable, but it stands out. There is always a wow factor that the average photographer just doesn’t achieve on their own. Perhaps it is his 45inch perspective, from the seat of his wheelchair, that gives him a unique viewing angle on the world.

Although he does both, Granaman still prefers black and white over color. Currently he has been working on tack sharp long exposure, city and landscape photography, and is always striving to improve his creative art form. Besides changing up his methodology with his camera, Granaman likes trying different mediums for his photos, such as metal and acrylic as well as prints and canvas pieces.

A long-time member and former Board Member of the FMAAA, Granaman has generously donated work over the years to be sold during the annual Expressions Art Auction, or for sale in the Member Gallery at the Art Center with the proceeds to benefit the FMAAA. The FMAAA thanks Jerry Granaman for all that he has done and continues to do for the FMAAA, and hopes you come out and celebrate with us on Friday, Oct 4 as we introduce his newest body of work.

In the Pop-up Gallery at the FMAAA Art Center for October

Oct 1-14  Mixed Media by Diane Jennings

Since retiring from her Physical Therapy career, Burlington resident DJ enjoys exploring all types of art forms. Her volunteer work at BAC and FMAAA has introduced her to many other artists and folks that love art. She loves encouraging people to experiment with colors and shapes. This year she's dabbling in woodburning, epoxy, and relief painting.

Diane Jennings uses her travels and photos for inspiration for many of her art pieces. She calls herself an amateur in all media which includes: acrylics, oil and soft pastel, watercolor and pencils, sculpting, Raku and conventional pottery, felting, quilting, scratch art, stained glass, paper mache,sand painting, collage, quilling, Chinese brush and ink, alcohol and ink, altered books, mosaics, metal embossing, encaustic, batik and tie dye, macrame and wrapped rocks, jewelry, and a LOT of photography.  "Try it! You might like it" is her motto.

Oct 15 – Nov 2  Sculpture by Robert Peterson

You may know this artist from their pen and ink “It Might Be…” series. But what you may not know is that Robert “Bob” Peterson is a sculptor, too. Check out his amazing body of work in the Pop-up Gallery at the FMAAA Art Center for the last half of October.

When asked how a graphic artist became a sculptor Bob reminisces that perhaps sculpture came first. He says, “My journey to create metal sculptures was 50-year expedition. Over the past many years, I gradually learned all the techniques required to create my unique and varied metal sculptures. I knew I was an artist when I was six years old as I had a great feeling of satisfaction whenever I painted or created something artistic.”

When Peterson was ten years old he worked after school and Saturdays at his father’s electric motor shop learning to weld and use metal fabrication tools. Having a car at age sixteen was a challenge with for him as a typical teen with limited income. He couldn’t afford to have an auto body shop repair the dents and rust on his car, teaching himself to hand-form sheet-metal, pound out dents, and weld patch panels. Many years later Peterson became friends with Tim Roosen, a metal sculptor from Belgium. They had similar  backgrounds; he worked for his father who had a custom metal fabricating business. Tim Roosen’s sculptures of women are in many European galleries. It was Roosen who suggested that Robert Peterson try to create some metal sculptures of his own. And he did. The results have been amazing.

In the early 1990’s I wanted to create some sculptures myself. I own several violins, so I produced some Abstract violins before trying to fabricate a perfect violin reproduction in metal. Being satisfied with the Abstract violins, I was brave enough to create realistic violins and my style of Art Nouveau figures. To create the gold finish on the violins, ballerinas, and giraffe, I used a welding process called brazing; brass is welded to the metal surfaces. Tim answered many of my questions on fabricating figure sculptures. After the figures, came the ballerinas and giraffes.” His work is not something you see every day. Plan to drop in to the FMAAA Art Center and check it out.