NORFOLK, Neb. – A special collaboration between Northeast Community College and the River Point Creative District has resulted in artwork created by a Northeast art instructor.
Michael Lynch has worked this semester as an artist-in-residence for the River Point Creative District, with Lynch being highly visible downtown creating several oil paintings.
From farmers markets to Fork Fest and other festivals, chances are you might have seen him working on his canvas. He did the work at various community events, in front of people.
Lynch’s paintings are currently available for viewing at 12 locations in downtown Norfolk. On Tuesday, Nov. 26, as part of the annual Norfolk River Point District Hometown Holidays Festival, the entire collection will come together for one evening. They will be on exhibit at District Table & Tap from 4 to 8 p.m.
A range of activities will be taking place at Hometown Holidays on Nov. 26, including Santa and Mrs. Claus at River Point Square, hay rack rides, live reindeer, s’mores stations, all starting at 5 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a tree lighting in River Point Square, and more activities throughout the evening.
Lynch will be at District Table & Tap, with all 12 paintings exhibited together, for one night only. The silent auction for these oil paintings opens on Wednesday, Nov. 20, and closes at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 28. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be used to support the River Point Creative District and the program.
Lynch has been painting nearly continuously during the semester, trying to finish about one each week or two. Unlike other paintings, he has been trying to complete the paintings “in that moment as much as possible.”
“Most of them I have been completing them in about an hour to three-hour period,” he said. “I try to just respond. Sometimes it is kind of intuitive. As I stand there, I just try to be present and honestly respond to that as much as possible.”
Some of the paintings were created outside in the fresh air, such as the North Fork River. Others were based on downtown photos and completed indoors.
Lynch said painting in the moment has resulted in him thinking more about space as he works, and how the scene translates into pictorial space.
“I would call myself more of a figurative or figuration painter rather than a literal painter,” he said.
As one can imagine, talking to someone while painting can be a challenge. Lynch said it isn’t as difficult as one might expect, as he tries to “put my brain on auto pilot and just respond rather than over thinking it.”
“I just roll with it. Someone coming up to talk with me is just part of the moment, part of the experience,” Lynch said.
Lynch did the paintings with pallet knife. That can be a challenge because it forces the artist to think in more general terms, such as color and space instead of details.
Dragging the paint across the canvas with a knife is exciting because it isn’t known how the paint will perform. It could mix well, or it could become a mess, he said.
To learn more about how Lynch created his paintings, attend the River Point Creative District art exhibit on Nov. 26, at the District Table & Tap
Lynch Outdoors
Michael Lynch, Northeast art instructor, has served as an artist-in-residence for the River Point Creative District this semester. He has created a variety of paintings, including some outdoor ones like this one produced at the Norfolk Arts Center. The paintings are currently on display throughout downtown. They will be brought together on Tuesday, Nov. 26, as part of the Hometown Holidays Festival. The silent auction for these pieces opens on Wednesday, November 20 and closes at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 28. (Northeast Community College)
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