On Saturday, September 18, from 3-7pm, 2021, Todd Lovett and Leslee Parr will host a showing of their artistic collaboration, “Off the Charts,” at the Artist and Gardener shop at 130 South 3rd Street, Jacksonville. The public is invited.
Leslee Parr, PhD, Professor Emeritus, San Jose State University: I have always believed that scientists and artists share a commonality in the way they see and describe their world and what it means to be a human in that world. Both artists and scientists employ themselves by being original and creative thinkers who interpret and share their understanding of their surroundings with others. A great deal of creativity, curiosity and discovery is required to make both artistic and scientific breakthroughs.
When my husband and I retired from San Jose State University and moved to Jacksonville, I inherited over 100 large-scale, vintage, biological charts during the construction of a new science building and repurposing of the old. Todd, when I walked into your shop, Artist and Gardener, for the first time, I was immediately drawn to your art. Your sense and expression of the details in nature truly inspired and moved me! I knew I had to approach you with a bold idea for a collaboration. I was delighted that you were receptive. I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have you as a collaborator and partner in our project and I can’t wait to share with the public the large scale, “second life” art we have created together!
Todd Lovett, painter, primarily in watercolors and surface/textile designer. Co-owner of Artist and Gardener: Leslee, when you approached me with the proposal of a collaboration I was truly intrigued. We began our journey at the beginning of this year and it has been a joyous one. I’m so happy you thought me to be a worthy collaborator! As the commonalities you point out are true, we can’t help but have two unique view points from different worlds but I believe that we have succeeded in achieving results that have satisfied the scientist in you and the artist in me. Scientific accuracy versus artistic license! It is thrilling as we unroll each chart we intend to paint. Every chart fosters a conversation about what is possible. I love that as we worked on a chart, that chart would be our favorite, that is, until we began the next one.
Leslee and Todd hope everyone will feel that they succeeded in joining forces and have achieved something beautiful and unique… something not seen before.
Images of “Rebirth” unembellished and embellished are by David Gibb.