Two Tulsa Art Center artists featured at OkEq
Have you ever said to yourself, “I wonder if I can paint?” Both Jason Reed and Mark Henry recently began the art of painting, and both will be featured in the July Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) showcase, an exhibit of local artists at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
The July showcase will feature an exhibit of the combined works of the two artists, beginning with a reception on Thursday, July 5 from 6-9 p.m. and continuing throughout the month.
Mark Henry is a budding artist who works in mixed media and acrylics. He started painting “on a whim” at Tulsa Art Center in March 2017 under the masterful instructor, Marie Sullivan. His lifetime collector of original art inspires his creativity. His works in this show represent an exploration of Art, Color, and Light.
Mark is a native Tulsan and currently lives in Tulsa with his partner, Korben Rodriguez, and their two dogs.
Jason Reed is the owner of a construction company whose method of escape in meditation became less effective as the onerous duties of owning a business overwhelmed him. He woke up one morning in March 2017, and said, “I wonder if I can paint?”
His search led him to the Tulsa Art Center. He persuaded his “best good buddy,” Mark, into signing up for art lessons. Reed said, “Marie Sullivan put the brush in our hand and said, ‘You can do this.’” Neither of them had painted before, but they soon figured out that Art is both relaxing and healing. Some innate talent helped.
Reed’s style ranges from abstract to portraits and everything in between. “I paint in every style because I have not found one subject or style I love more than the other.
“Today I paint every morning as a way to meditate. Art stops my mind and allows me to focus on only the colors and brush strokes. I don’t think I am the best artist. However, I feel I improve with every painting.”
This show begins with a reception on Thursday, July 5 from 6-9 p.m. at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, located at 621 E. 4th Street in Downtown Tulsa. There will be a door prize drawn from the artist’s work. The show continues throughout July.
Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) seeks equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. www.okeq.org.
Copyright The Gayly – June 29, 2018 @ 8:05 a.m. CDT.