Curated by Matthew D. Davids, administrator of art collections
CURATOR’S STATEMENT
This special exhibit showcases the artwork of Sue Messerly, an Oklahoma artist who lives in Altus.
Taking her inspiration from her surroundings, Messerly explores the outdoors as a common theme in her work but varies the subject matter. She might paint animals, landscapes or people, but all of her art reflects enjoying the outdoors. Those who enjoy her art might feel as if they were experiencing that scene in person as they view the way she paints the light, how the fauna flows or the characters’ realism.
Since she lives in southwest Oklahoma, Messerly often features the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in her art. She paints some of her art in plein air – on site away from a studio – but she also uses a camera to capture the scenery and memorable moments and uses the photos back in her studio as she works.
Currently, Messerly primarily creates her artwork in oil, but she has worked in pen and ink or watercolor. This exhibit features mostly Messerly’s oil paintings. Her two favorites in this show, one watercolor and one oil painting, came from the same photograph of her husband hiking in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
ABOUT SUE MESSERLY
Artist Sue Messerly lives in Altus, Oklahoma. She majored in fine arts at Colorado University, in Boulder, CO, and North Texas University in Denton, TX.
Besides her fine art major, Sue Messerly has attended workshops featuring artists Ben Konis, Tony Couch, Rick McClure, John Budicin and Jill Carver.
Outdoor art shows in Altus, Hobart and Lawton and the surrounding area have featured her artwork, but her reach also has extended from the immediate area to include the Norman Depot Art Gallery and the Pride Gallery in Lawton.
