Award-winning student news since 1978

The Brookhaven Courier

Award-winning student news since 1978

The Brookhaven Courier

Award-winning student news since 1978

The Brookhaven Courier

Professor shows art at gallery

By Chris R. Allison

Copy Editor

 

The Norwood Flynn Gallery, located between Bachman Lake and Love Field Airport, hosted an artist’s reception for Brookhaven College Visual Communications Professor Ray-Mel Cornelius at 6 p.m. Sept. 14.

The show featured acrylic paintings and drawings of natural subjects and landscapes, the primary focus of Cornelius’ efforts away from the computer. “A renewed appreciation of the natural environment has led me to explore the landscape as a subject for painting,” Cornelius’ bio said. “The undulating shapes and contours in nature are echoed in the human form and make up the step from landscape to representation of the figure, specifically the nude, a logical one.” His painting makes use of sharp contrast between light and dark to create a unique appearance of depth.

Cornelius’ work has recently been featured in Southwest Art magazine, the Dallas Observer and D Magazine. His work has been displayed in galleries throughout the country, including the Copper Moon Gallery in Taos, N.M., and the Clermont College Art Gallery in Cincinnati. Locally, his work has appeared at the Latino Cultural Center and the J.M. Moudy Art Gallery at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, according to his website, raymelcornelius.com.

Cornelius grew up in North Texas and received his bachelor’s degree in art from East Texas State University. He has been a professional artist since 1977, with clients including The Dallas Opera, Frito-Lay, Minute Maid and Elektra Records. He has also been commissioned by The Dallas Morning News to create illustrations. In the May issue, Dallas Observer writer Jamie Laughlin described Cornelius as a “bright and curious community mainstay,” and said, “Cornelius’ artwork focuses on the quirky side of nature but does so through a fine art execution.”

Aside from the benefit of greater exposure for his work, Cornelius pointed to the benefit of displaying his work for Brookhaven students. “They need to know not only is it possible to succeed in this industry, but also the level and quality of work that will be expected of them,” he said. Cornelius said he believes students need to be exposed to the work of professionals in their field to further their own skills as artists.

The show continues through Oct. 5. The exhibit will also be featured noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 21 during the Dallas Art Dealers Association Fall Gallery Walk. The Norwood Flynn Gallery is located at 3318 Shorecrest Drive in Dallas. For more information, readers can call 214-351-3318 or visit the gallery website at norwoodflynngallery.com.

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