May 22, 2023-Delta watercolor artist, David Rawlinson, will be the guest artist at a special Pacesetter Open Mic Poetry Night on June 1st from 6:00-8:00 PM. Rawlinson’s work ‘Early Morning in the Delta’ has been chosen to grace the cover of the 2023 Mississippi Poetry Society Contest Edition Journal.
“We love to support Mississippi art of all kinds, work created by Mississippians and about life right here in Mississippi.”, says Mississippi Poetry Society current state vice president, contest chair, and co-editor for the 2023 Journal, Jason Ervin. He and Daniel Pickett, the state treasurer and co-editor of the 2023 Journal, together selected this piece for the cover.
The monthly open mic event at Pacesetter is co-hosted the gallery and the Mississippi Poetry Society and is held the first Thursday of every month from 6-8 PM. On this night, Mississippi poets of all ages and walks of life are welcome to come together and share their stories and perspectives. Attendees enjoy a glass of wine and light snacks and conversation between sets.
“Pacesetter Gallery is a space where different types of creatives find inspiration. Having this event monthly has formed creative connections. We often have first time poets reading in public for the first time and seasoned poets like Linda Owen, the 2023 Poet of the Year for Mississippi Poetry Society and playwriter John Maxwell. This night truly embraces the many different perspectives and stories of Mississippi poets. It is one of my favorite nights and we welcome the general public to attend and enjoy.”, states Pacesetter Gallery owner/artist Keri Davis.
The writing theme for the June 1st event is to create a poem inspired by one of Rawlinson’s many watercolors. Creating a poem based off another work of art, is called “ekphrastic poetry”. David. The old homes and rural structures are nostalgic to many viewers.
“In the late 60’s I lived with my mother in the French Quarter of New Orleans. She was a portrait artist on Jackson Square. I began painting while attending high school in New Orleans, and working in a frame shop after school.” While working in the frame shop, I got to know many different artists that lived in the French Quarter. That early art environment in such a unique place was a valuable asset to my art career”, states the artist.
After a long and successful career in graphic design, he left the world of logos and layout to follow the unpredictable journey of the brush. Living in iconic southern cities such as New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, Little Rock, AR, and Holly Springs, MS, has shaped Rawlinson’s style and influences.
“Whatever the inspiration, my paintings share one well-defined theme: the striking beauty of contrast. The work presents people, places and objects in settings of chaotic serenity”, states Rawlinson.
David Rawlinson is a member of Memphis Germantown Art League (MGAL), Artistlink, Mid-Southern Watercolorist Tennessee Watercolor Society and has won MGAL Winder Exhibition: 2nd Place, 2019 MGAL Star Artist Exhibition: Best of Show and Honorable Mention, 2020 GCVAA (Gibson County Visual Arts Association): Honorable Mention, 2020 Southern Appalachian Artist Guild (Annual Exhibition): 1st Place, 2021 Mid-South Watercolorist: Dick Blick Award, 2021 MGAL Spring Exhibition Honorable Mention.
