The monochromatic hue of “Emergence” reflects off the face of artist Susan Danko. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – At the intersection of photography and art stands Chad Cochran, whose mixed media works combine traditional painting techniques and found objects with his original landscape photos to create exquisitely emotional works of art. Cochran is one of six artists featured in the new exhibit, “Rooted,” at The Arts Garage (TAG) in Port Clinton.

Also exhibiting their work are Susan Danko, Mark Common, Kris Petrenko, William Wilson, and TAG Studio Artist, Debra Sue Solecki.

Cochran was new to photography when he participated in an art show featuring post-World War II era Lustron homes. The homes were prefabricated using porcelain-enameled steel tiles, and, for the show, the artists were asked to create an image on a Lustron tile.

“I didn’t know what I was doing, but I sold one that night,” Cochran said.

The experience fueled his desire to create. For a long time, Cochran focused on landscape photography and mixed media art, but then a musician asked him to design an album cover with the musician incorporated into a landscape scene.

“I said no because I didn’t do portraits. They kept pushing until I agreed, and after it was done, my career exploded,” Cochran said.

Since then, Cochran’s photographs have graced many album covers, particularly of Nashville artists. Today, he focuses on landscape and portrait photography and mixed media art.

“I almost never have a plan with my mixed media work,” he said. “A lot of time, it just starts with whatever I have, and then it builds.”

Danko’s abstract creations are inspired by the scenes she encounters when she hikes in nature. Her goal is not to create an exact likeness of what she sees. Instead, she wants to recreate the feelings that come from the fields and woods she walks through.

Artist Chad Cochran stands with two examples of his landscape photography, which launched his career as an album cover designer for Nashville musicians. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“I do landscapes, but they are not necessarily representational,” she said. “It’s the feeling of what it’s like out there.”

Danko’s work is a unique blend of the wild liberties of contemporary art and the wild freedom of nature.

“I’m very into contemporary art, so my work is abstract. The colors aren’t the colors you see. Color is mood. I use color to give an impression,” she said.

Among Danko’s work in the “Rooted” exhibit are a few of the 29 tree-themed paintings in her “Night Forest” series. She created the series during Covid, when she was living at home with her daughter and her husband was with his father, helping him through the state shutdowns.

“Being alone, I started painting. I would stay up at night and watch the sunsets and observe what the sky looked like in different weather,” she said.

The long hours of Covid inspired her to try different techniques.

“During Covid, time slowed down,” she said. “Time didn’t mean anything, so I experimented a lot. I played with atmosphere.”

Danko’s unicolor work “Emergence” incorporates hand-painting and printmaking techniques, including block print, gridwork, and silkscreen.

“I challenged myself to do monochromatic work,” she said.

The abstract work represents the life of a tree.

“When you’re in nature, there is a lot of downed wood, and it can be very interesting to look at,” she said. “Eventually, it will become earth.”

“Rooted” is on display at TAG until Sunday, May 3. TAG is located at 317 W. Perry St. in Port Clinton. Entry to TAG and the exhibit is free. For more information, visit www.gpcaac.org.