NSU hosts art exhibit showcasing alumnus’ work

Northeastern State University will host an art exhibit entitled Unframed, fromAug. 21 to Sept. 25on its Broken Arrow campus, celebrating the work of one of NSU alumnus, D.D. Duvall.

Duvall is a self-taught, acrylic artist who began painting a little over a year ago, and describes his style and method as spontaneous and limitless.

I was painting something and wanted a background with circles, and there were Cheerios (cereal) in the pantry, so I used them, he said laughing.

It turned out great.

While Duvall has a background in business, graduating from NSU in 1992 with a bachelors in business administration and then in 2013 with his masters, his analytical side did not prevent him from exploring other avenues for his expressing his creativity.

It all began inside an NSU classroom during his masters program.

Dr. Dilene Crockett, an associate professor of management at NSU, urged Duvall and fellow students to be open to a non-quantitative approach to problem-solving, as opposed to relying solely on numbers and data.

Thats when Duvall turned to the visual arts as his outlet.

Since the spring of 2014, he has had several month-long exhibitions in the Brady Arts District in downtown Tulsa, donated to numerous charities and had more than 40 of his pieces collected by various art fans.

While he has received recognition for his work, Duvall is still unaccustomed to the accompanying kudos.

Its weird when you see your work somewhere after its been bought. Its cool.

His ability to create something new brings him a sense of enjoyment that is different from any other kind of work.

I can do anything with my blank canvas. Im not limited. If its got to be Cheerios, its going to be Cheerios.

A projects analyst by-day, Duvall said attendees of the upcoming exhibit can expect to see about 40 medium-to-large canvases on display.

He explained the title Unframed was chosen because he prefers to use the entire canvas when he paints, extending his strokes to the sides as he works.

Its not limited to the frame, whatever is going on in the front is carried over onto the sides. Its a personal preference.

The artist favors heavy body acrylic, which he said gives his pieces a three-dimensional, freshly painted look that will last.

The public is invited to the Visitors Center Gallery of the Administrative Services on the Broken Arrow Campus fromAug. 21 to Sept. 25, to view Duvalls work.

Hopefully people will enjoy it, and it wont be something they see every day.

The exhibit is free of charge, will be open fromMondaytoFriday,8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and attendees can be on the lookout for the first unveiling of his yet-to-be named Cheerios creation.

For more information, please contactD.D. Duvall atdddartstudio@gmail.comor visit his website at www.ddduvall.com.

Published: 2015-08-17 15:16:36.767000