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Current Exhibitions
His medium is watercolor—but sometimes he works it in black on white. His subject matter may be
family, or it may be ancient tractors and decrepit cars. His "easel" is the kitchen table, overlooking
Crystal Lake in Whitehall.
Ferrel Cordle, a newly inducted member of the White River Gallery, is the featured artist for the month
of August. He is hosting a free, public reception 6-9 p.m. August 29 at the Gallery, 8701 Ferry Street.
Refreshments will be served.
Cordle is a "new" painter, having retired in January from a 40-year career as a graphic designer—the
last 17 as owner of Ferrel Graphics. His designs for local clients such as Teledyne and Howmet won
numerous awards.
But paint was looking for a way to flow through familial genes to a new generation. Artists he admires
include Norman Rockwell and two uncles. His namesake, Ferrel McDonnell, was an oil painter who died
in World War II, and his "famous uncle," Mike McDonnell, is well-known in art circles, especially for
watercolor. Cordle's inherited artistic aptitude literally popped to the surface.
"During my career, I did not have time or the desire to paint, so when I retired I went on a frenzy and
painted 34 paintings in a 60-day period," he said. "I spent so much money on framing and matting that
I decided I had to slow down and pace myself."
Soft, nostalgic images painted in black on white are reproductions of family photographs—himself and
a brother, his grandparents and parents.  He brought color into "portraits" of his grandmother's metal-
roofed barn and into rusting jalopies in a field. During his teen years he had worked milking 40 cows;
renderings of crimson-combed roosters in a hen house and of draft horses plodding through a field are
reminders of that time.
Yet Cordle considers most of his work as "relatively tight, with a technical illustration quality to it." The
dashboard of an old Ford, with a rabbit's foot hanging from the key chain in the ignition, and exacting
renditions of vintage tractors, down to the rivets in steel wheels—are a big part of his portfolio.
"I like old stuff," he said.
Plans include further shadowing of his "famous" uncle this summer to learn more about purity of color
and brush stroke techniques, then more painting, painting, painting.
"You shouldn't look back and say 'what if,'" he mused. "We're not even promised tomorrow morning."
White River Gallery is on the corner of Dowling and Ferry streets in downtown Montague. Gallery
hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday noon
to 4 p.m. Call 231-894-8659 during gallery hours for details.
White River Gallery is a division of the Arts Council of White Lake, working side-by-side with the
Nuveen Community Center for the Arts.
Featured Artist of the Month- Ferrel Cordle
SENSE OF PLACE

The Sense of Place is an annual June exhibit featuring works from all the members of the
Gallery. The focus of that concurrent exhibit is images of West Michigan.
Art and All that Jazz!  At Art in the Barn

Tunes will be jumping and nationally-recognized artists will be pumping out work at the annual Arts
Council of White Lake Art in the Barn 5-9 p.m. Sunday, August 10. Tickets are $30 at the door, or $25 if
purchased early.

Sponsored by the Arts Council of White Lake to benefit White River Gallery, the soiree is at the
Schiller/Lundquist Barn, 5807 Lamos Road, Whitehall. Tickets are available at White River Gallery,
8701 Ferry Street, Montague. A ticket entitles the bearer to one free beverage, a gourmet repast of heavy
hors d’oeuvres by the Frettys, and access to fantastic works of art.

The theme of the 2008 party, Art and all the Jazz!, speaks volumes. Lakeshore Jazz Ensemble returns
for the second year to belt out tunes as partiers wander about the grounds or join friends at picnic tables
and tented galleries scattered about the lawn.

Original works by talented members of the White River Gallery will be tempting buyers. Gallery
members’ sculptures, paintings, textiles and jewelry are offered for bid in a silent auction.

Here and there on the grounds, guest artist will be working in mini studios. Catherine McClung is a
Spring Lake wildlife painter. She has illustrated books and her name is associated with Lenox for
artwork she designs for plates. Reuben Llano, an Oceana County stone and wood carver is known locally
for a wooden processional cross and mantel at Lebanon Lutheran Church. Nancy Reagh Johnson
presents contemporary wall hangings; Scott Mack will be working on oil or acrylic paintings; Ted
Borgeld is a wood carver, Jill Barnes of Jilly’s in Muskegon plans to produce whimsical clay sculptures
en plein air. Mat Moore will demonstrate print making. These artists will be selling their work, and each
will have a piece offered in a live auction.

For a hot time near White Lake, plan a trip to the country setting of Art and All that Jazz!