Illustrating a point

Famed illustrator N.C. Wyeth, a masterful wielder of the brush if there ever was one, once said, "Painting and illustration cannot be mixed — one cannot merge into the other. The fact is, you have got to drop one absolutely before attempting the other."

It is believed the artist said this during a difficult period in his career; he was feeling the heat of "high-culture" snobbery that found his paintings to be nothing more than illustrations — a snobbery that continues today, especially in our universities. It is still fine artists versus illustrators, and it is all really very tiring.

So let the fine artist grumblers grumble as they cling tenaciously to their erroneous, sinking equation: commercial art = bad art.

It is not true. Things have been different for many years. And if you have any remaining doubts, visit the "Utah Illustrators Invitational" at the Bountiful/Davis Art Center.

The exhibit, which features illustrations by visiting international artist Anita Kunz and work by 26 local artists, will be on display through Feb. 10.

"We felt like it was about time to bring back this exceptional exhibit that is unique as it features only illustrators," said Arley Curtz, director of the BDAC. "We are excited to present this high caliber of working illustrators to the public. Some of them have exhibited here in past illustrators exhibits, and some are new to the exhibition."

Participating artists are Bethanne Anderson, Robert Barrett, Richard Brown, Rob Colvin, Bob Commander, Greg Frehner, Chris Hawkes, Richard Hull, Steve Kropp, Shauna Mooney Kawasaki, Phyllis Luch (1937-95), Paul Mann, Dilleen Marsh, Robert McKay, Sherry Meidell, Greg Newbold, Anne Marie Oborn, Michael Onyon, Nathan Paret, Greg Ragland, Mark Robison, Randall Royter, Scott Snow, Perry Stewart, Jerry Thompson and Don Weller.

All of Kunz's illustrations in the exhibit are — as might be expected — strangely beautiful and peculiar. It is easy to see why her art has been used around the world by such clients as Time magazine, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, GQ, Sony Music, Random House Publishing and many others.

While some artists' work in the exhibit seems dated and tired, there are those that are fresh and even edgy.

Greg Frehner's pen-and-ink drawing, "Bee in Dome," is frenzied detail. The artist calls his work "psychorealist," and after viewing this illustration, you'll understand why. Bob Commander's "It's So Easy" and Perry Stewart's "Birds" are also brave and well crafted.