NEC Gallery presents an afternoon of art

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New England College Chester Gallery held a reception for illustrator Ryan O’Rourke and photographer Gary Samson on Wednesday, Feb. 28. O’Rourke and Samson shared the burnout, adventures, and takeaways behind their projects with the community and NEC students.

A projector in Chester Gallery showcases O’Rourke’s final sketches for “Mouseling Words.”

O’Rourke has been illustrating for 23 years; he’s drawn for magazines, books and other smaller projects. O’Rourke also teaches at NEC.

“I teach in the illustration department. It’s myself and Rich Pellegrino, the two main instructors,” he said.

O’Rourke shared his process of illustrating for a children’s book called “Mouseling Words” by Shutta Crum. He walked through the stages of his sketches, and the sources that inspired the characters, until we reached the final sketch that is evolved and lively with color.

O’Rourke encouraged those interested in pursuing illustration to have stamina and keep going no matter what gets in their way.

“You have to trust your vision for your style. That’s important. And you have to never stop doing it. If you really want to do it, you have to make it your life, not just your career,” he said.

Later in the evening, Samson introduced “Creole Soul: Zydeco Lives.” This is the third and final book Samson worked on with author Burt Feintuch, who died in 2018. They started working on “Zydeco Lives” in 2015, and although it was a culture Samson was unfamiliar with, he was excited to explore more.

“Creole Soul: Zydeco Lives” by Burt Feintuch displayed in Chester Gallery.

“It allows me to take my camera and walk through the door and start learning about a new world,” he said.

From Texas to southwest Louisiana, “Creole Soul” is meant to showcase some contemporary Zydeco musicians’ voices, thoughts and images. Samson took nearly 5,000 photographs capturing their energy and passion for their music.  

Zydeco musicians photographed by Gary Samson, displayed in Chester Gallery.

Samson teaches one class at NEC and continues to collaborate and create big projects for the future. He wishes to inspire photographers to have perseverance and curiosity.

Even without the money or time, he encouraged photographers to ignite the passion they initially had.

“I want to capture the world and share it with an audience,” Samson said.

By the end of the reception, Ryan O’Rourke and Gary Samson had shared their art and inspired others to pursue their passions and find their creativity.

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