For someone who failed fourth grade art because he flunked a sewing project, Michael Winegarden has come a long way. Honors for his accomplishments in art today are numerous. His fourth-grade art teacher might not believe it, but Winegarden now teaches drawing and art appreciation at Grayson County College.
“Perception” is Winegarden’s key word when it comes to art. Visual impressions and how others see things have intrigued him since childhood. “I would see a certain lighting effect on a beautiful day and feel the need to express it, only at the time I didn’t know how to do that,” Winegarden said. His fascination with paint and color led him to sneak into his mother’s nail polish, dab the paint on scraps of trash and stare at the colors in the light. He would put his eye up to glowing lights on appliances or electrical devices and stare spellbound until he began to see an image or a space.
Winegarden said that his series of paintings composed of circular brush strokes has been satisfying, but his latest projects involve photography, and he still questions perception. He experimented with the dangerous-sounding practice of taking photos while riding his motorcycle, to capture motion. When taking pictures with both feet firmly on the ground, he wants to challenge what the observer’s eye sees. Is it a tree or a reflection of a tree?
Michael Winegarden is associated with the Second Floor Gallery at Grayson County College Art Department, 6101 Grayson Drive, Denison, TX 75020 (903) 463-8662, where his work currently is on display. Hours are Mon.-Th. 8 am to 9 pm, Fri. 8 am to 4 pm, and Sun. 1 pm to 4 pm. Closed Saturday. Or call (903) 771-6128 to see the exhibit by appointment.
The term “boat house” probably conjures images in your mind’s eye of rickety weathered steps down to the water’s edge, corrugated sheet metal, spider webs, yellow bug lights, dust, rust and tangled fishing gear. There may even be that last lonely can of beer in the fridge; still snuggly bound by its plastic six pack girdle.