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Artist Don Balke at MACA

Renowned artist to show 100+ paintings.

Photo by Britt Combs

Seen in the midst of setting up his show in the MACA Gallery, Don Balke is flanked by three of his more than 100 paintings on display through November. There will be a reception Friday to open the show.

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: November 5, 2008

Art lovers will have the opportunity to see more than 100 paintings by artist Don Balke throughout November. On Friday, they can meet the artist at a reception in honor of the opening of his exhibit.
Balke, a career artist for 50 years and long-time resident of Dysartsville, will hold his first MACA show in nearly 20 years, according to MACA Director Susan Grant.
"His exhibition is meaningful to MACA for many reasons," said Grant. "For one, he designed the original MACA logo that was used for so many years and that we are now using again. It can be seen on the gallery banner going up for his show. To have a logo designed by a nationally recognized artist for our organization is indeed special."
The McDowell News caught up with Balke as he was arranging his show in the gallery to talk about art, nature, world travel and the rural life and natural scenes he celebrates in his paintings.
"I try to pick up on what is there in nature," he said. He and his wife Bobby, whom Balke describes as his partner in art, travel far and wide on a Honda Goldwing touring motorcycle "all over the U.S. and Canada," stopping along the way to capture scenes they admire. Trusty camera ready, he captures scenes of "pheasants in Alaska, wild turkeys in Alabama, ducks in Ocracoke and eagles on Mt. Mitchell."
The majority of paintings in the show are watercolors, under glass. Balke was hard at work arranging these for best viewing, avoiding the lights' glare. He said he refrains from using low-reflecting glass because he feels it takes away the sheen the viewer should see in the painting.
These works are joined by several oils, many on a grand scale. Quite a few of the grandest ones are images from an African trip the Balkes took in 1989. In one, Balke reproduces in dramatic setting a photograph he shot of an elephant – while the elephant was charging the Balkes and their guide.
Balke is proud to have kept at it for 50 years, citing his wife as his muse and guiding force.
"She was the one who pushed me into art school," he said. "She has kept right on booting me along. She has been my left hand while I painted with my right."
Born in the tiny farming community of Big Falls, Wis. 75 years ago, he grew up surrounded by livestock, wildlife and natural grandeur. That rugged upbringing shows itself in many of his images, which show dogs and raccoons facing off behind a barn, or a snow-covered wagon like the one his folks used to haul firewood to their non-electric home.
Asked if these were hard times to be selling art, he said it didn't matter.
"There are some people who see art as very important," he answered. "They'll always consider buying a piece if it pleases them. I always advise people, if it's meaningful to you and you buy it, keep it. Enjoy it. Don't buy it just to sell it."
The show also features, in addition to original paintings, lithograph and giclee prints, printed, signed and numbered by the artist.
"Don Balke rocks," said Grant. "I don't know why, but I feel like so many have forgotten what an awesome talent we have living in our midst. And he is such a kind and generous person. He was more than happy to help me by doing this show, and he was tickled to see MACA using his logo again."

The reception will be held on Friday from 5 until 7 p.m. For more information, call MACA at 652-8610.