THOMASVILLE- Thomasville Center for the Arts curator Sam McCoy opened her exhibit “Subtropical: Living in a Sinking State” at the Venvi Art Gallery in Tallahassee on Friday.
The solo exhibition features more than 30 original artworks by McCoy, which are years in the making.
McCoy’s work was noticed by Venvi during her time at Florida State University while pursuing her master’s degree.
McCoy said the exhibition title is loosely based on her thesis in grad school, which focused on the landscape of the South. Rather it is the true physical landscape or the ecological and political landscape.
The works began as McCoy envisioned the landscape of her hometown in Orlando, Florida.
“The paintings started off as a Florida roadside attraction series,” she explained. “I grew up in Orlando, so Gator Land was huge during that time.”
However, the work evolved with McCoy investing her time into “en plain air,” paintings of local flora and fauna, roadside gardens, and tourist areas that were often featured on postcards.
McCoy never strayed far from her vision, though. She continued to use the bright colors that depict the tropical and picturesque areas of Florida known to her through oil and acrylic techniques.
With these works now on display, McCoy is now looking toward her next inspiration — a mix of all her past loves.
“I’m always working on something new,” she said. “Art is the creative outlet that allows me to express all of the different things I’m interested in; it’s very exploratory.”
Her next exploration will revisit her time working with an entomologist, a zoologist who studies insects.
McCoy explained during her time at FSU, she worked with an entomologist, learning about insects, while painting realistic works of various bees. As her work continued, McCoy related the insects to the impact they have on the environment and combined her Florida and southern landscape with the varying insects they are known for.
“My work features a mix of insects and the landscape,” she said. “It’s a visual expression of what I’m interested in.”
The ability to have her work seen and give a voice to what is happening throughout the Florida and South Georgia landscape is not lost on McCoy.
“I feel very lucky,” she said. “Brinda (Gallery owner and artist) has represented a lot of artists who inspire me.”
Some of these artists include Mark Messersmith, who focuses on plants, animals, and the world’s natural environment, and Christina Klein, who visually depicts the changes in the rural Kansas landscape.
McCoy’s artwork will be on display at the home of her former inspirations until Aug. 18. All of the works on display are for sale, with many already purchased.
“The gallery has put a lot of time and energy into having me here, so I was happy to see people wanting to purchase my work,” McCoy said. “It was a great opening night.”
Following her display at Venvi, McCoy said she may do some work with Le Moyne Arts, encouraging those interested to be on the lookout.