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Printmaker Dave Bigelow on exhibit at Evangel University

Published on Sep 14, 2016 by Paul K. Logsdon

See samples of Bigelow artwork below // (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Evangel University Fine Art & Design Gallery is featuring the works of print maker and professor David Bigelow, now through Sept. 30, 2016. The art exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Evangel’s gallery is located in the Lawrence & Alletha Barnett Fine Arts Center, located just south of the Spence Chapel, facing Glenstone Ave.

Bigelow’s work has an international fan base, and his art can be found in galleries, online and at juried art fairs.

As a printmaker, he uses animals and vegetables to talk about people. For Bigelow, humor is an important means to the end of communicating truth.

The creation process

2016-09 Will Success Spoil Peter Rabbit
“Will Success Spoil Peter Rabbit” by David Bigelow. All rights reserved // (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

“I am serious about humor,” said Bigelow. “I draw to get ideas, then keep drawing to make them clear and funny. Sometimes I get ideas from watching and listening, but most start as a scribble in a sketchbook. Titles come last to explain it.”

The etching process is an ancient art form.

“With etching, I develop a metal plate drawing through an acid resist and then immersed in a tray of acid,” Bigelow explains. “When finished, I print by pushing ink into the etched holes, then wiping the surface clean.

“The print is made by pressing wet paper in, to take the shape of the plate,” he continued. “Then, it is dried, water-colored, signed and numbered. The printed result is properly called an original, because nothing exists which was reproduced.”

A Michigan native, Bigelow is based out of Springfield, Missouri. In addition to his work with Bigelow Studios, he has taught art at Evangel since 1998. Follow on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/davidbigelowprints/

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Bigelow bio 

DAVID W. BIGELOW was born in Ann Arbor Michigan and raised in Mt. Morris, Mich. He received his BFA in printmaking and painting and MFA in Printmaking and Drawing from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

As a graduate student he began his teaching career at Albion College, in Albion, Mich. He then taught part-time at the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Mott Community College, before he accepted a full-time position in art at Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro.

2016-09 Hog Wild
“Hog Wild” by David Bigelow. All rights reserved // (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Seven years later, he “retired” as an associate professor to pursue a career as a studio artist. He has spent the last 18 years teaching art at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He continues to teach all who are interested in the “user friendliness” of art.

In 1980, David officially started Bigelow Studios to create and sell his work, which can be found at galleries and juried art fairs. In partnership with his wife, Marcia, Bigelow Studios has produced approximately 650 images that average editions of 200. He continues to sell work worldwide.

David has been drawing since he was four years old. His love of the etching process came when he was in undergraduate school.

The etching process is a traditional technique that includes a metal plate covered with an acid resist that is then drawn on with a metal point, then immersed in acid. The time of immersion determines the variety in the line and value. He then prints the image on his 1800 pound American French Tool etching press. The prints are then dried, water-colored, signed and numbered in limited editions which are original works of art. He only uses the highest quality archival materials.

David uses animals, vegetables and minerals to communicate ideas about human foibles. He tries to make serious art with humorous content. He typically draws many pages in his sketchbooks, working until the ideas come, then he refines the sketches and draws them on the metal plates. He looks for the profound in the mundane and for the obscure in the obvious. Humor is an important means to the end of communicating truth.  David believes that art is for all.

2016-09 You Carry All Generations With You
“You Carry All Generations With You” by David Bigelow. All rights reserved // (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

David has been invited to give lectures and workshops involving ideas, drawing, printmaking techniques and the marketing of artwork to numerous universities and groups. He continues to exhibit, teach at the collegiate level and share his enthusiasm for art and artistic process with all.

David really cares if people understand his ideas, so he listens to their reactions and opinions whenever possible.

To quote Jenny Brought, Ann Arbor Art Fair Coordinator, “Bigelow’s work is a pure delight to see — with simple designs often depicting animals or vegetable characters. He conveys such depth and fun in his art, easily evoking laughter. David’s art comes from the heart of a very sincere, kind and friendly person.”

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SIDEBAR: Evangel offers four art degrees

  • The Bachelor of Arts in Art degree program is a well-rounded approach to artistic disciplines, combining art history and various studio areas.
  • The Art Education degree is for the creative art student seeking certification to teach in the K-12 grades.
  • The Bachelor of Fine Arts (graphic design track) covers layout design, use of typography, communication and language skills, and appropriate computer skills needed for the graphic design field.
  • The Bachelor of Fine Arts (studio track) allows artists to explore and refine their talents in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking or ceramics, and prepare a portfolio of their artwork so that they can be accepted into a graduate school for advanced study.

For additional information, visit the Humanities Department or contact Stan Maples at (417) 865-2815, ext. 7395.