MENDOCINO COUNTY — Lake County Arts Council member artist, John Eells, has two paintings featured in the prestigious Mendocino Art Center”s highly competitive 2008 Members” Juried Show. The exhibit opened Wednesday, Jan. 16, and runs through Friday, Feb. 22.
Eells” paintings are both large abstracts and were first displayed in late 2007 at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport. One is currently on display at Sandi”s Interiors in Lakeport.
Eells has been painting since before Oil Painting 101 at Colgate University in New York State, and his painting activity has intensified over the last eight years to become the focus of his life. Always eager to learn, he has taken drawing, painting and sculpture courses from private teachers, colleges and art schools.
Eells paints in a variety of styles in both oils and acrylics. His subject matter runs from the mythic and abstract to the realistic and representational; obviously, he is unwilling to be tied down to any particular means of expression.
Well-known Lake County artist Ray Farrow says, “Because of the high number of exceptional artists in Mendocino County, it is an honor for John to be selected into their juried show. It has been a pleasure watching John grow as an artist. His natural artistic ability is a gift to us all.”
Shelby Posada, executive director of the LCAC, adds, “John”s new explosive and powerful abstract paintings bring an exciting dimension to art being produced in Lake County. We are pleased that he continues to show at the Main Street Gallery especially since John”s talents are now recognized nationally.”
Eells recently returned from Utah, where he had been awarded a grant to participate in an Artists” Retreat on the ranch of well-known western artist Maynard Dixon. Eells has also been selected to teach a class, “Get Loose and Have Fun with Colorful Abstracting” in July 2008 at the prestigious art education program at Chautauqua, NY. Eells currently exhibits paintings in Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties.
Shelby Posada is executive director of the LCAC.
