Debra Sue Solecki stands next to her work, “Lifecycle on Lost Lake” at TAG. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Art, for the most part, is about harmony. Color complements color. Mediums intertwine into unity. Shading creates cohesive depth within a flat canvas, convincing the eye of a reality that isn’t truly there.

The harmony of art is gloriously displayed across The Arts Garage (TAG) in the new exhibit, “Soil to Sky,” featuring the work of Derek Brennan of the Cleveland area; Derek’s uncle, Scott Brennan of Genoa; and Debra Sue Solecki of Catawba. Each artist is distinctly different, and yet their work blends so harmoniously that, at first glance, a visitor may believe the exhibit features only one artist.

“All three of us are inspired by nature,” Solecki said.

Solecki’s work is bold in color, bold in concept and bold in design. Layer upon layer of color and subject covers her canvas, telling story upon story. The mind can’t capture her intricate paintings with a fleeting look. They must be observed, studied and absorbed.

Scott Brennan stands next to his work, “Vine on Vine” at TAG. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Her overriding themes are the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting nature.

“Most of my work is inspired by the environment,” Solecki said. “I create my art to make people look at nature differently.”

Solecki’s work addresses issues such as plastics in the environment and humans’ reliance on insects. One of her paintings hanging at TAG reflects the lifecycle of the dragonfly.

“I’m inspired a lot by change in nature,” she said. “Sometimes it’s natural change. Sometimes it’s human-induced change.”

Derek is not only inspired by nature, but he also incorporates it as a medium into his work. Derek does encaustic painting, an artform that utilizes heated beeswax, damar resin and oil paint. He paints with the mixture on wood panels, and it dries immediately. A heat gun and pottery tools can be used to manipulate the dried medium, allowing Derek to add layers to the piece.

Derek learned about encaustic painting in a contemporary concepts art class at Bowling Green State University.

Derek Brennan stands next to his work, “Sunkissed” at TAG. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“I just fell in love with it,” he said. “It’s very hands-on. It allows me to use all my favorite parts of things that I love to work with.”

Scott creates extraordinary art with a simple medium: colored pencils. His work, rich with color, depth and design, looks like paintings, but, with remarkable skill, he pulls beauty from pencils.

“I’ve been an artist, I like to say, my whole life, but I really got into colored pencils in the 90s,” he said.

Paint is a forgiving medium. Mistakes with paint can be corrected with more paint. The same is not true for colored pencils. That is what Scott likes about it.

“It’s the challenge,” he said. “You can’t go over your mistakes.”

Soil to Sky can be viewed through Aug. 3 at TAG, the home of the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, located at 317 W. Perry St. in Port Clinton. For more information, call visit www.gpcaac.org.