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Shutterbugs and art lovers enjoyed photographer Diane Mueller’s new exhibit at the Live Oak Art Center’s reception, Thursday, Oct. 30.
The exhibit “Through the Artist’s Eyes” highlights Mueller’s work, pulling inspiration from landscapes, nature, wildlife and portraits of people in a beautiful moment of pure essence, allowing viewers to see the world through the eyes of a globally-recognized, award-winning artist. Some of Mueller’s work came from going on walks and noticing things like leaves blown about after storms.
“I can’t leave my camera at home,” Mueller said.
She said her latest collection is inspired by fun and spontaneity, capturing photos from as near as her home to as far away as Africa. She uses patience and “seeing things” as part of her photography skills.
One such photo, named “Tarangire National Park,” was taken while visiting her son Travis Kocurek, who was stationed there in Tanzania. Kocurek, and his wife Raven, currently own Hound Song Brewery Co. in Columbus.
While her favorite pictures in this exhibit change, Mueller said her current favorite is a picture that she created with her father in mind. The piece includes many arrowheads made by Mueller’s father that depict a Native American with feathers and pecans.
The Live Oak Art Club began with a dedicated group of art lovers who met in the Live Oak Hotel kitchen in 1954. A donation by Emma Hay in 1986 allowed the Live Oak Art Club to purchase the Brunson Building, the current home of the now-titled Live Oak Art Center (LOAC). Donations from the Wade Family Foundation have made some of the following possible: restoration of the Brunson Saloon and Whiskey Warehouse in 2016, refurbishment of the upstairs and downstairs galleries in 2017 and the construction of The Courtyard Wine Bar. The Live Oak Art Center offers free and low-cost classes, workshops, summer camps and art exhibitions for artists and art lovers of all ages.
“We want to continue events like this to showcase our local artists and to support our art classes for our local youth,” LOAC volunteer Patsy Hodge said.
“Through the Artist’s Eyes” will be displayed from Oct. 30 to Nov. 29 with some of Mueller’s work up for sale. The Live Oak Art Center is located at 1014 Milam Street in Columbus. The center is closed Sunday–Tuesday and is open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Wednesday–Friday, and 11 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday.
