A midcareer retrospective

By Ann Nichols annsnichols@aol.com

As a child, Melissa Hefferlin entertained herself by drawing while other people were talking, especially at church, school and family meetings. “Two subjects always appeared in my drawings: cows and high-heeled shoes,” she said. “And they were often on the same piece of paper.”

At age 17, she had plans to be an art historian but changed her mind to become an “art maker instead of an art studier” she said.

Beginning Wednesday, visitors to the McKee Library at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale can see Ms. Hefferlin’s midcareer retrospective. The exhibition showcases about 40 oil paintings and pastel drawings she has completed since 1986.

Still life, figures, portraiture, farm animals and self-portraits will be on display. About 10 of these were bought by collectors right off the easel and have never been publicly exhibited.

In terms of how her work has changed during the past 22 years, Ms. Hefferlin said her most recent pieces are quieter and more refined.

“When I was younger, I was all bravado, but now it’s a relief to be simply one’s self.”

Ms. Hefferlin studied art at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Otis Institute of Art in Los Angeles and the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. The works of Russian and French impressionists have heavily influenced her art, as well as those of American painters Jamie Wyeth and Carolyn Plochmann.

As to the future direction of her art, she said she is developing a strong attraction to making really large work.

“I aspire to become a WPA-style mural maker,” she added, referencing the Depression-era art projects of the Works Progress Administration. “Currently, I am working on three large murals with crowds of figures in them and am unbearably happy about this project.”

Ms. Hefferlin is pleased to have her exhibit at Southern because it is her hometown.

“My father taught there for more than 55 years, my studio is two miles from the university, and I shop at the Adventist grocery store for health food,” she said.

The show will remain on display through May 9.

An opening reception will be held on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and Ms. Hefferlin will give a talk at 7 p.m. Parking will be reserved for this event. Visitors are asked to follow posted signs once they arrive on campus.

McKee Library is open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon on Friday and noon-11 p.m. on Sunday. For information, call (423) 236-2788.