Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com

Marketplace \| Services \| Contact Us \| Community \| Arts & Entertainment \| Local Guides

Published by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. CLICK FOR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY

CORRECTION:
An article on Page B8 Thursday incorrectly reported the date of the reception for exhibitions by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi artists. The reception is 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 15.

Thursday, November 8, 2001
Mixed media
Double-majors create artwork that reflects their style and studies
By Brendan Walsh
Caller-Times

David Adame/Caller-Times

Marie Valdez works on a painting at her studio at K-Space. Valdez’s paintings typically explore the relationship between the body and the mind — how emotion is expressed physically. Her figures show their mental state through gesture and pose.

About six years ago, Marie Valdez realized that she was going to have to make a major life decision. For eleven years Valdez had been a dedicated gymnast, practicing almost nonstop, competing at all levels and devoting herself to the sport. It was her passion in life.
   Turning point
   But Valdez, now 27, had gotten to the point where she needed to decide how long she was going to pursue gymnastics. It consumed much of the college junior's time and it was physically difficult - she'd already had reconstructive knee surgery while in high school. When a favorite coach passed away, his death provided further impetus for quitting. At 21, Valdez decided to abandon what had been "pretty much my life," she said.

Contributed photo

A painting by Marie Valdez titled ‘State of Mind’ will be on display at the Center for the Arts at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

   "I began to search for other interests that could give me as much satisfaction as gymnastics," Valdez said. "I wanted to find something I was as passionate about."
   A sports psychology major at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Valdez began taking painting classes at the Glassell School of Art. "I began to realize psychology may not be the only thing I wanted to focus on," she said.
   Valdez transferred to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and enrolled as a double major in psychology and art. She'll graduate in May 2002. This weekend TA&MU-CC will host the opening reception for her bachelor of fine arts exhibition.
   Combining interests
   Her work shows that she hasn't completely abandoned her psychology roots. Valdez's paintings typically explore the relationship between the body and the mind - how emotion is expressed physically. Her figures, often posed in ambiguous surroundings, show their mental state through gesture and pose. "My stronger pieces have been the ones of (models) who I sat and talked to and spent some time with. I talk to them a little bit about what I'm looking for, but allow them and their personality to take form," she said.

Art receptions

What: Opening receptions for the works of Marie Valdez and Daniel Fielder
When: Receptions are tonight, 7 to 9 p.m. Exhibitions on display through Nov. 21.
Where: Center for the Arts, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Cost: Free
More Info: (361) 825-2651

   The paintings are often large, some measuring more than 6 feet by 5 feet. Valdez says part of the reason she paints on such a grand scale is because larger paintings require more of her physically. "For me it's very similar to the physical interaction in gymnastics," she said.
   "I think that the dedication I learned from gymnastics translated into my artwork. A lot of time and energy goes into it. It really filled that void that gymnastics left," Valdez said. "I'm dyslexic, and academia was never a strong point in my life. When I began to do gymnastics it gave me an avenue to express myself and gave me self-confidence. As I began to work more with art, it gave me a similar response."
   Arts and letters
   Fellow TAMU-CC student Daniel Fielder - whose work will be exhibited this weekend - also takes a multidisciplinary approach to his art. Fielder, 31, will graduate with bachelor of fine arts and English degrees in December.

David Adame/Caller-Times

Daniel Fielder works on a painting at K-Space studios. Fielder says the settings he uses vary, but many feature water and the colors of the natural environment of the Coastal Bend area.

   His paintings deal primarily with the interaction of human figures and landscapes. The settings he uses vary, but many are inspired by the terrain of the Coastal Bend, featuring water and the colors of the natural environment of the area. His figures are most often in meditative states, apparently thinking about what they're doing in nature.
   Fielder says that his interest in literature affects his work. "When words and groups of words are assembled to work together, they create a certain aesthetic quality. That's what I'm trying to display in my work, in my visual paintings."
   "I'm looking for a certain quality when I paint a figure. I want to empathize with them; I want to feel a certain mood; I want there to be an interaction," Fielder said.

   Contact Brendan Walsh at 886-3763 or walshb@caller.com

| Talk about this story | Next Story | Home |

[ Printer-friendly version ]
[ Subscribe to newspaper ]

SEND THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND