Jasmine Maughon, one of our community’s most remarkable up-and-coming artists, delights art lovers with her sweet personality, shy smile and remarkable, inherent artistic ability.
No matter what media she gets her hands on, when she’s through, it’s been beautifully transformed into a memorable work of art.
The exhibit of Maughon’s work currently on the north wall of the Crestview Public Library amply demonstrates the young artist’s skill in two and three dimensions, as well as her assured manipulation of a variety of media.
The 2012 Crestview High School grad is a former president of the school’s Art Club and recipient of multiple blue ribbons at both school and community art shows. She majors in studio art at Northwest Florida State College and the University of West Florida.
Maughon’s exhibited works come from high school and college projects. Pen and ink, charcoal, watercolors, fabrics and even house paint are among the media she employs. Works range from whimsical, serious and even a trifle, um…scary.
Of the latter, I especially liked a trio of perturbing pastels and ink interpretations of fairy tales.
“Seven Dwarfs” depicts a sleeping Snow White being visited by seven demonic, gremlin-like creatures that lack the Disney hugability of Dopey, Doc, Sneezy and others. Rendered primarily in black and white, their gleaming red eyes burst through the nocturnal gloom of Snow White’s boudoir.
“They were my concentration project for high school when I took (Advanced Placement) portfolio,” Maughon said. “I had fun with those.”
Contrast the fantasy of the grim fairy tales with the artist’s still lifes, such as the delicate “Tea Rose” rendered in charcoal, or the wonderful “Beautiful Bones,” from a decidedly different subject, rendered in charcoal and ink. As you ponder it, Maughon’s sense of humor shines through.
Dimensional work includes a piece called “Graffiti Jungle” that reflects her interest in fabric art, and “Life Mosaic,” a vibrant, exciting ceramic work that tantalizes the viewer on multiple levels.
I particularly loved the “Iron Maiden,” an assemblage of everything from delicate cloth to bits of electronics and mechanical parts.
My only regret is that Maughon didn’t exhibit her lively manga drawings, though a hint peeks through if you look carefully at “Graffiti Jungle.”
Her characters embody rich personalities and are rendered so brilliantly they seem ready to pop off the paper.
But maybe that’s subject matter for another exhibit.
We can always hope!
Want to go?
Works by young local artist Jasmine Maughon will remain on exhibit at the Crestview Public Library through February. Call the library, 682-4432, for more details.
Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: REVIEW: Library exhibit displays young artist’s work