Art In Action: Splat?
By DARLA MCCAMMON
Lakeland Arts Association
I first saw Marc Eckel about 12 or 14 years ago at a large outdoor picnic event held by a church I attended at the time, in Claypool. Eckel was to be the entertainment and called himself Splat! What was Splat? We wondered. Surprise was part of the presentation. Everything Eckel did was accompanied with fanfare and drama. Prior to our arrival he or his assistant had placed a large, black canvas cloth on the ground. It was blank. We were seated in chairs in a semi-circle around this unusual display with an aisle down the center of our seats—all arranged with a view of the black canvas. We could see assorted paints, colors, but no brushes, arranged around the base of the canvas. Suddenly dramatic music began to play and a figure shrouded all in black, including a black hood, created a stir as he strode up the aisle to stand in front of the canvas. He stood with his back to us and made no sound but he bent his head and body in obvious silent prayer. The music continued, but the artist did not speak. He held our attention immediately, especially when he completed his benediction and then dipped his hands into the dripping paint. Eckel began dragging and dripping the paint in what seemed to be random strokes of his fingers across the black background. At first it looked like an abstract work of art with no ability for us to recognize anything realistic, although we did appreciate the colors, but little by little, bits and pieces began to form into a cohesive and impressive whole. We watched, disbelieving, as a magnificent image of a crucified Christ began to appear before us. It nearly popped off the canvas as it screamed the reality we were viewing. The impact was great. The crowd was hushed and amazed. Today, you can see this work of art hanging on the wall of the Community room at Claypool United Methodist Church in Claypool, Ind. It has become, like many others to follow it, as famous as the artist Splat who invented the technique. Marc Eckel was onto something that shook the art world.
Eckel went on to become more and more famous, even doing two tours with Grammy winning Christian mega band, Casting Crowns. The pace and stress of fame takes a toll however; and Eckel began evaluating his passion for art from another perspective. He continues to accept large and distant bookings, but they are held to a minimum in order to be with his family. A short while ago Eckel and his wife Juli opened a fine art gallery and graphic design studio right in the heart of Kosciusko County. You can visit it right on Center Street in downtown Warsaw. Eckel and his family have made their home right here in Kosciusko County where he made his start.
You will be excited to know that we now have a very nice exhibit of work by Splat (Eckel) for your viewing pleasure at the Warsaw City Hall Gallery for the next couple of months. The exhibit is free to view and is in both the main room as well as the main hallway. You can visit this exhibit of his work on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. There is a small version of his many depictions of the life of Christ including the abstract drips! Also on view are many of his other works of art. I was especially taken with the very realistic Norman Rockwell mood of the little boy and his dog lying on a quilt. (Of course, you all know I love dogs since I try to help them at our Animal Welfare League so that’s no secret!) All of Eckel’s work is exceptional and you really should make a point of dropping in to visit this exhibit. Skipping from striking realism to nearly post-impressionist abstraction is done with ease by Eckel. He seems comfortable with shifting gears and is equally gifted in all of them.
A little more about Eckel. He took the crayons away from his twin brother when they were two years old and has been drawing, painting and designing ever since. He is very adept at graphic design and has held positions at General motors, Ford, and Nissan. He has also worked locally for Stephan Baby and Midwest Rake Company. As a freelance illustrator, he has also garnered much success, has written a novel and is also a children’s book author.
Upcoming and Current Events: Andy Corp and Brenda Stichter, two local favorites, are on view at Lakeland Art Gallery this month. Andy is exceptionally gifted in a technique he has perfected called “poured acrylic” in which he creates unique works of art you must go see. Brenda wins award after award for her giftedness in abstract and original approach to art. You are fortunate to be able to see both artists at the same time. Lakeland is open at 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Located on 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw. Please go view the work of these two very talented artists. There is never a charge for LAA exhibits.
Miss some columns? Email [email protected]. Questions about art or topics in the columns? Call (574) 527-4044.