'Black Horse' rubs elbows with 'Yellow Dog'

By David C. Farmer
Special to The Advertiser

•	Windward Artist Guild 44th Annual Juried Members Exhibition Through April 30 1132 Bishop St. 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays Free

Jurors Vicky Chock and Alan Leitner — both respected artists and art professors at Leeward Community College — have done a fine job in what after all is the art of balancing inclusion and quality.

Among the more than 150 artworks created by the members, there are the usual and expected sentimental and picturesque landscapes and sunsets, together with figurative work and portraits in a variety of media and displaying varying degrees of skill.

Of special note are the multi-canvas mixed-media works by Jodie Endicott.

"Black Horse of Color," consisting of three joined canvases, combines equine imagery with intimations of targets that are intriguing as well as oddly disturbing.

Similarly, "Yellow Dog Meets Urban Terriers," an almost cartoon-like depiction of two dogs facing off against a hapless hero, typifies this artist's quirky, totemic approach with an underlying sense of lurking danger and dark foreboding, despite the obviously comedic intentions.

This last piece, displayed on the wall on the side of the stairs leading up to the federal courtroom, requires the viewer who wants to see it and the other pieces up close to ignore an "exit only" sign prominently posted below.

Barbara Okamoto's monotype "Creation Myth" demonstrates the richness that this deceptively simple medium can achieve.

Finally, wood crafter Ron Kent has come up with a blend of materials — wood, yarn, and acrylic — to create in "QGA" an exquisitely delicate and subtle bowl form that almost begs to be picked up and felt.