SteamFolk at the Bing Art Center, Springfield, MA

Wistful World, an exhibition of work by Geoffrey Houghton at the Bing Arts Center Friday, August 3, through Saturday, October 13.

Wistful World is a representation of Geoffrey Houghton’s latest works related to outlandish characters. A self-taught artist, Geoff enjoys creating watercolor paintings in a vivid and bold way that has been referred to as a sub-genre of Steampunk with flavors of Japanese manga and pop surrealism. You’ll discover his art focuses primarily on eccentric and enchanting damsels that portray a different time, technology and fashion. His current work expresses his desire to display more “edgy” and melancholy emotions with his characters.

Geoff’s work has been on display at the Suffield Library, CT, the Greater Hartford Arts Council Workplace Campaign, East Windsor Public Library, and the Somers Piedmont Art Show for the past 5 years. Geoff’s painting “Wanna ride?” was featured on the front page of Hartford Courant’s I-Town section on May 18th, 2008. He also won 1st place in painting for his interpretation of Elizabeth Ihling titled “Lizzie’s return to Centre County” in the 2010 Monson Art Council Show, and he landed the Shephard Family award for his painting “The New Woman” in the 2011 show. His “French Mary” painting was selected as Best Themed painting at the 2011 Open Studio Hartford event as well as selected as the cover of a poetry book via the New Britain Museum of American Art. You can view his website at www.SteamFolk.com

An artists’ reception will held on Friday, August 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. followed with music by Patrick Coman & The Lo-Fi Angels, The Grimm Generation, and Lys Guillorn.