See Alison Simmons' Muscle Car Portraits at Preview Events March 3 and 10
Library audiences are fortunate to have regional artists of local and national fame share their work during a steady rotation of monthly and quarterly exhibits at the various branches. The works of one artist, however, are coming to stay, and you’ll soon see why.
The Library Station, on North Kansas Expressway and a stone’s throw from I-44, playfully incorporates a transportation theme with its décor of trains, planes, bikes and automobiles. Even the study rooms bear the names of six iconic American cars: GTO, Thunderbird, Camaro, Corvette, Firebird, and Mustang.
Enter artist Alison Simmons, who loves the look of those classic cars so much that she created six technicolor portraits that ooze muscle and cool-car attitude – Simmons’ perspective puts you ‘eyeballs to grill.’
Grants from The Library Foundation and Friends of the Library allowed the library to buy and frame photo reproductions of Simmons’ works, and each will soon hang in its namesake study room at the Library Station.
You can see a preview of the paintings at the Park Central Branch on March 3 during First Friday Art Walk events.
Then come for the unveiling at the Library Station during a reception from 6-8 p.m. March 10 and meet the artist. Simmons will be there to talk about her work and also show off the originals. Light refreshments will be served.
Simmons grew up in Colorado and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in studio art. She says she finds pleasure in noticing things others don’t, and translating that visual language to her canvas.
“Automobiles with all of their beautiful curves and lines are fascinating when paired with reflections of everyday life and people,” Simmons says. “Vintage cars fit nicely because of their physical extravagance yet they also have a quiet confidence about them.”
Simmons says an average painting takes 40 hours to complete, combining skill and layers of colors. You can see her other works online at alisonsimmons.com, and then visit the artist and her vintage portraitures on March 10.
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