The Online Reflector

The Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center Art Gallery is currently hosting the work of two accomplished illustrators, Charlene Chua and Kristal Melson.

The art exhibit will be on display in the art gallery Feb. 25 through March 12 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is no charge to view the exhibit, and the artists promise that lovers of art, comic book enthusiasts and curious viewers will find entertainment.

Biographies of both artists are displayed in the gallery. Information about the artists’ opinions, backgrounds and commentary allows the viewer to gain greater insight into their illustrations.

Melson’s work appears on the north and east walls of the gallery. Her work primarily features female characters and animals. The images of an elephant and its long curved trunk appear frequently. She uses a great deal of color in her pieces that will immediately grab and hold a viewer’s attention.

One of Melson’s drawings was recently featured on the cover of Kult Magazine. Kult is a magazine that focuses on art, style, music and design. Melson said she was very excited about this particular accomplishment.

Melson also said that it was difficult to choose one specific origin of her work,  but cited her background in graphic design and love for comics as major influences. She also said that the artist she currently shares an exhibit with in the art gallery made an impact on her.

“I grew up with Charlene, and she was a big influence on my art,” Melson said.

Nelson Tan, assistant professor of visual communication and design, was the one who brought these two artists’ work to UIndy.

“Nelson Tan approached me with the idea to put up my illustrations,” Melson said. “He thought it would be a great idea to expose some of the students to the stuff Charlene and I have been doing over the years.”

Chua’s artwork is the older of the two artists and her artwork occupies the north and west walls of the gallery. Chua is more of a digital artist and uses Vector programs to create smooth, linear, colorful work. Chua also uses mainly female characters.

One of her most popular pieces on display is “Nookland,” which was featured on the cover of Owl Kids, a Canadian magazine. It is a piece that aims to encourage viewers to imagine different stories and characters.

Chua’s work is well-known and has been featured in prominent publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Maxim magazine.

She said she would like to buy a house and settle down, but there are still many things she would like to try artistically.

“For my career and art, while I do think about it [my artwork] constantly, it is hard to find the time to actually sit down and make an honest effort to move in a particular direction,” Chua said.

She recently moved to Toronto in an effort to slow things down. Her biography in the art gallery states that Canada has been a very peaceful change for her.

Her greatest accomplishment, she said, is yet to come.

The exhibit will be open for one more week, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.