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Arts & Entertainment

Artist Profile: Les Overlock

Artist reception to be held for Les Overlock at the Rellik Tavern on Thursday March 10th.

If you feel like somebody is watching you at the Rellik, it may be Les Overlock's faces. The current show Incognito, features fifteen stylized portraits painted in charcoal and gouash, a water-based paint medium.

The three-month exhibition is part of a's satellite gallery program. Overlock was thrilled to get the venue; his style is the perfect compliment for the swank vibe of the tavern.

Incognito refers the subject's occupation being contrary to what they really do. Overlock aims to "create a mirage which actually hides the state of mind of the subject. Beware. We are not what we seem to be."

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Overlock chooses people who are intriguing, photographs them then paints from photos. “The faces become something they are not. I tell them, I am going to do your face but it's not gong to be you.”

The face project began four years ago when Overlock was hospitalized and painted to pass the time. He sent his sister to get his watercolors, but she accidentally brought the gouash paints instead. “I never would have thought of using gouash on the faces because it's less transparent,” says Overlock.

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“The first faces were simplistic images from magazines. In the hospital, the nurses were in and out so quickly, so I began working from photographs instead.” Overlock eventually began painting faces of people he knew.

Always fascinated by foreign cultures, Overlock seeks truly exotic faces to reproduce. An early inspiration was the photo of the young Afgahni girl with striking green eyes on the cover of National Geographic.

Overlock paints faces in a stylized and abstract way. He explains, “Realistic portrait art demands to be perfect. When I try to paint a representation of somebody, there's a good chance that it's going to be flawed. So consequently, I'd rather take the flaw.”

Subjects include a waitress, an actress, Carlos Santana, actor Alan Arkin and his friend's daughter Nikki. The painting called Jewel is one of his favorites.

The Stagecoach Boys painting fits right in. “Why not have a bunch of desperadoes who would normally hang out in a bar anyway? Half these people have occupations that relate to bar service, so they are going to be amongst friends for three months,” says Overlock.

Overlock is inspired by visual cues. He admits to being drawn to people for many of the wrong reasons. “It's all about image for me, but what you see, is not always what you get.” His faces characteristics develop and morph from their origins over time.

At 68, Overlock has worked in charcoal, watercolor, acrylics, clay, collage, ink printing and clay printing. He's done figurative drawing, sculpture, pottery and dabbled in henna body art. His wife Joyce works in pottery.

As a teacher for 37 years, Overlock taught English, history and spent his final 15 years teaching art at Liberty High. He retired from Liberty High in 2007 and started teaching at the VA hospital in Martinez. Overlock now works with out-patients in a group every Tuesday, saying “They are really cool people.” He also teaches at his grandchildren's school on the East Coast every year. “Its all for god and country, teaching is in my blood,” he says. “There is all that impetus to keep going.”

Overlock loves to stay in shape with hiking and walking. He's writes poetry, “It has been part of my life forever...” He is part of Ronna Leon's Tuesday poetry group. He draws a weekly cartoon for the Thursday edition of Benicia Herald. “They switched my spot with the pet of the week, so told them I don't mind being your other pet.”

There will be an artist reception at the Rellik on Thursday, March 10th from 6:00-9:00 pm. Complimentary appetizers will be served with tasty live music.

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