ART FIGURED OUT: The human form through the eyes of four artists is on display at South Walton campus

The study of the human form has fascinated artists and those who appreciate art since the beginning of time.

The Cultural Art Association's A+ Art initiative in collaboration with Northwest Florida State College opened its latest exhibit Oct. 21 at the South Walton campus —Approaching the Figure: The Human Form Through the Eyes of Four Artists.

The human figure has been a constant and enduring theme in art throughout history. This exhibit features four artists with contrasting approaches to representing the human form.

The artists featured in this show are Charlotte Arnold, Linda Kernick, Sue Carol Knight, and Marti Schmidt.

Using the human body as a common element, this exhibit offers the opportunity to compare and contrast works of different styles and mediums.

"Figure painting is an important part of an artist's work," said committee chair Susan Lucas. "Some interpret it abstractly and some playfully. An exhibit such as this allows you to see different approaches and lets people see how different artists do things."

Lucas said the committee looked at who were the best figure artists and decided to start with these four. In years to come, the work of more artists will be featured.

"We were looking for artists who aren't doing the same things the same way," she explained.

As someone who has been an artist for 30 or 40 years, Arnold said she has been intrigued by figures and human expression since childhood.

"In school, I was chosen to do a pencil portrait for my teacher, who was retiring — and that encouraged me. But I've always been drawn to the human form," she said.

Arnold said she is inspired by the visual connection she feels.

"It's easy as you talk to someone to start creating as you get to know their spirit," she said.

Schmidt has also been an artist for more than 30 years. For her, the fascination is with the relationship of the male/female in each of us.

"We each have traits of male and female, and I am fascinated by how it relates to each other," she said. "I have always been attracted to the human body. I try to paint abstracts but always go back to figurative work."

Knight also said she has been an artist since she was a little girl.

"I've always been drawn to people. It's been in me since I was little," she said. "I do the face first and everything else comes after. If you can do portraits you can do anything."

Kernick's reasoning behind why she paints what she does is simple: "I'm a woman. We do what we know," she said of her habit of portraying pear-shaped women.

Approaching the figure can be viewed during normal campus business hours through Dec. 14. For more information, contact the Cultural Arts Alliance at 850-622-5970 or info@culturalartsalliance.com.

For more photos, CLICK HERE.