Review

"Elephant Toes," Mixed Media on Canvas.

Jenny Meyer McCall
Provoke the Imagination

11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Leedy-Voulkos Art Center
2012 Baltimore
Kansas City, MO
816.474.1919

Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday
Runs through: Oct. 30.

Artist's site: http://www.jennymeyermccall.com
Gallery site: http://www.leedy-voulkos.com

If you're a "First Friday only" visitor to the Crossroads, you're missing out.

Yes, you still have two more First Fridays (tomorrow and in October) in which you could see Jenny Meyer McCall's Provoke the Imagination at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center.  There are two good reasons, though, not to wait until tomorrow.

One, the Leedy-Voulkos is always jammed on First Fridays, especially in the fall months. That's not a bad thing, but it can make getting clear views of and quiet time to think about the artwork more than a bit problematic.

And two, Meyer McCall's bright, texture-intensive mixed media paintings are the ideal complement (or antidote, if you're not a cloudy-day person) to a rainy, cool late summer Thursday.

Her show takes up the front room at the Leedy-Voulkos ... and the work isn't shy about filling the space with energy. As seen in Elephant Toes,  today's featured piece, Meyer McCall's abstracts stake unapologetic claims on the viewer's attention — and reward that attention with both up-front revelations and subtle detail.

The art I create is part of my everyday life, she writes. I collect findings both tangible and visual, constantly observing and quietly noting them, then taking them home and birthing a new creation. By assembling the unexpected and complementing it with comfort, I build a balanced piece of chaos to share my adventures.

That chaos never feels overwhelming. There's a warmth to it, a welcoming feeling that's intentional on Meyer McCall's part.

My work has a nurturing intent even when the feel is heavy and bold, she continues. Stemming from my faux painting background, I enjoy collaging two-and three-dimensional findings to create texture and movement, as well as layering vibrant acrylic and thick oil paint. This makes my work expressive with childhood sagas, and hidden messages of supposed life morals peeking through, telling a story within the abstract composition.

As ever, those messages — whether overt or concealed — can only be seen fully in person. And who couldn't use some lively nurturing — and a nudge to the imagination — on a wet day?

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