P.D. Murray
“The Originals” sounds like it may be a Pixar movie arriving right before the holidays, but, in truth, it is a tribute to the current trio of artists who recently unveiled their Oscar-worthy art exhibit in the Millworks lobby, right on time for First Saturday, Dec. 2. To be an original, one must truly be a “1” of a kind. To be original is to break the mold. Over the years, it has afforded me great joy to write about all the Millworks artists, past and present. They are a community that ardently supports each other, shares an unbreakable camaraderie, and celebrates one another’s successes.
Artists, scalawags three, hold a special place in my art blogs, having written about them on numerous occasions, and now is the perfect time to introduce the new kid–but hold tight for a second. The trio is synonymous with “unique.” Prolifically profane at times, prescient posturing for others, but always on point, P.D. Murray is poised for permanence in the “Painting Pantheon of Poetic Paleontology.” His library of characters is overflowing with quirks and twerks, works with perks, and even “gherks that irks” (sour pickles). Pucker up, P.D. Murray. This is your life!
Huckle Buckle Boys
“Beep beep!!” A P.D. Murray mainstay, “Roadrunner,” like a gust of wind whooshing by in a flash, is on his way to see Garrick Dorsett and Zack Rudy, aka The Huckle Buckle Boys. Shortened to HBB, the Boys, over the years, have dealt in outrageously outre originals, spaceships and intergalactic travel, birds wearing masks pre-COVID precognition, and, of late, niche numerological navigation. Starting with the number “6” in a series of pattern forming methodologies within their current framework, mathematicians both, Garrick and Zack, crack the code, revealing that “doubling” continues ad infinitum.
R-Lo
Brand new to the Millworks mix, hanging art on the lobby wall, is a major force to be reckoned with…Richard L. Hernandez, better known as R-Lo. The “R” is key and points to the artist’s medium of choice, charcoal. The mystical gravity that pervades charcoal drawings is the interplay of dark against light, as ancient as cave paintings and the Pyramids, the elemental pull of creation comes full cycle in studies employing charcoal. From the first mark on the paper, the work starts to evolve as the velvety tone and texture of soot swirl in a brush with imagination. The components of energy and expressive freedom join in a seesaw of give and take, striking the balance in dusk and twilight shadings. R-Lo takes the Midtown art audience, caught in a whirlwind hurricane on a wild ride, bringing them to its very center at the eye, tossing caution topsy-turvy, tumultuously escaping, coming out on the other side safe but greatly moved and enlightened. Humble and hesitant to recognize his own immense talent, R-Lo’s art bridges the temporal and the eternal, depicting mankind’s struggles of the here and now played out on a grand scale. The paper canvases are wall-sized and dramatically draw initiates new to the medium into the mainframe’s depth as the seductive smears and smudges surrender to surround the senses scintillatingly surreal. R-Lo naturally draws comparisons to the great master himself, Leonardo, both in symphonic symbolism and as a supernal being. Richard’s star will shine bright in the firmament in the years to come.
Millwork’s current show runs through Dec. 10 and sets the holiday table with this unforgettable group of “Originals.” Be sure to stop in to see them and all the other Millwork’s artists in their studios and for First Saturday. View Murray, Dorsett, Rudy and R-Lo. And while you’re at it, break the mold this holiday season and pass on the fruitcake. Try something original instead.
Art for purchase at Vivi on Verbeke
Art Gallery Gift Guide for the 12 Days of Christmas, 8 nights of Chanukah, 6 days of Kwanzaa
Art Association of Harrisburg, 21 N. Front St., 717.236.1432
Specializing in paintings, statuary and assembled objects
Contact Nate Foster, Gallery Sales Director
Carlisle Arts Learning Center, 38 W. Pomfret St., 717.249.6973
Holiday Art Market, an entire gallery devoted to gifts galore.
Contact Amanda Kistler, Giftware Guru
Pat Craig Studios and The Pond, 30-32 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle 717.245.0382
Award-winning gift and custom framing store, hand crafted jewelry, cards, socks, and fine art and prints.
Contact Pat Craig, owner
EsoArts, 317 N. Queen St., Lancaster, 717.696.2093
Artisanal crafted goods from art to jewelry to upcycled clothing and even a tattoo parlor.
Contact Andrew Silvius or Zachary Walter, owners
Hershey Art Gallery and Studio, 1077 Swatara Rd., Hershey, 717.580.1614
Specializing in watercolor paintings, repurposed metal sculptures, charcuterie boards,
Culinary salts, bath salts and botanical soaps, jewelry, fabric art, prints and cards.
Contact Joan Maguire, owner
HIVE artspace, 126 E. King St., York, 917.971.7456
Paintings, cards, tree ornaments, jewelry and gift items
Contact Susan Scofield, owner
Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, 717.695.4888
Visit 36 artists on 3 floors, shop main floor gift boutique for art, clothing, jewelry, pottery, home goods, and stained glass
Contact Art Director Tara Chickey
Nyeusi Gallery, 1224 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, 717.421.4630
Specializing in Black art and art of the Caribbean with artwork, statuary, masks and books
Contact Art Director Steve Barber
Smith Fine Art Gallery & Custom Framing, 190 Reno Ave., New Cumberland, 717.774.4301
Specializing in fine art, featuring 30 local artists and custom framing, conservation and restoration.
Contact Debbie Smith, owner
Venture, 128 E. King St., York, 717.495.9992
Royal Square Arts District purveyor of fine gifts
Specializing in artisanal paintings, pottery, paper, felting and handbound books
Contact Susan McDaniel, owner
Village Artisans, 321 Walnut St., Boiling Springs, 717.258.3256
Gift gallery 200 nationally known artisans
Specializing in blown glass objects, pottery, jewelry and giftware
Contact P.J. Heyman, owner
Vivi on Verbeke, 258 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, 717.961.9826
Specializing in pottery, photography, paintings and handmade gift items
Contact Vivian Sterste or Jeb Boyd, owners
Photos by Jana MacGinnes
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