Base library features new local artist

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • 05th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Peppered with color and filled with new focal points, the Edwards Base Library is featuring a new artwork as part of its monthly Local Artists Showcase.

Beginning in Oct. 2010, library staff selects a local artist each month and display's that artist's work throughout the library.

The January showcase features artwork from Antelope Valley artist Frank Robert Dixon, a drawing and painting teacher at Quartz Hill High School and part-time illustration professor at Antelope Valley College.

The majority of Mr. Dixon's artwork currently on display in the library is illustrations of "treetches," creatures of his own making and named after a shortened combination of the words "tree" and "creature."

"I always liked drawing old faces and trees," said Mr. Dixon. "I had never really combined the two together until I was 32 years old. I was feeling sort of frustrated with my life, I wanted to do more with it. I was painting a picture of a face with a hand leaning up against it and with a couple of the fingers I decided to make them go right down to the bottom of the paper like they were stuck there, because I was feeling stuck in life. At that point they reminded me of branches and roots and I suddenly turned it into a tree. It was a pretty strange picture. But that's how I did the first one."

Although Mr. Dixon's artwork includes fantastical elements and whimsical features, he says his illustrations have very personal and human aspects.

"It‟s fantasy art, but it's also about personal expression and emotions and feelings," said Mr. Dixon. "Most people kind of like them [the treetches]. They have very human faces and there are a lot of emotions, and while a lot of them are my own emotions, I think that's what people identify with."

In addition to artwork, Mr. Dixon has authored and illustrated two books that are also on display in the library.

"Drawing Treetch and Other Fantastic Creatures," is a children's book designed not only to tell a story, but also teach certain drawing techniques such as shading by including step-by-step instructions on how to draw Mr. Dixon's creations.

When asked what effect the monthly artwork has on the library's ambiance, Alison Vasquez, 95th Force Support Squadron Library director, conveyed her enthusiasm for the program.

"The artwork presents a completely different face for the library," said Ms. Vasquez. "Our customers have expressed their liking of the art. They say that it's colorful and vibrant and come to see different artwork each month."

Artwork featured in the library has included pieces by students on base as well as artists on base.

"Anybody interested in being part of the exhibit can contact the library," said Ms. Vasquez. "They don't have to have any experience with participating in any exhibits, they can be just a student that would like to display their artwork, and we would be glad to do it."

For more information on the Base Library's services or programs, call 275-BOOK (275-2665).