乐播传媒

Erica Parsons Butler's "I Can't Quit My People" gallery opening was a night filled with art, inspiration, and warmth. Many students and community members came to view her works which she affectionately calls "Parsons' People."

Parsons Butler鈥檚 pieces center around the eyes. With realistic eyes that draw in viewers, Parsons Butler frames the narrative of her work around them using various colors and brushstrokes. Many paintings had plain backgrounds that allowed the people to stand out. 

Although most of the paintings displayed were of individuals that were stand-alone pieces, Parsons Butler also included two 鈥渃ouples鈥� in the gallery. The oldest works available to view in the gallery were a set depicting a couple - which she painted on cardboard.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 originally mean for them to be a pair,鈥� Parsons Butler explained. 鈥淏ut I had finished her and began working on him and realized they paired together.鈥�

Professor Will Hinton and Parsons Butler gave opening remarks to the crowd. Parsons Butler鈥檚 sister, who could not make the event, sent her flowers and a small gift as congratulations for opening the gallery. 

Many of Hinton鈥檚 students visited the gallery, studying the paintings and discussing how the pieces made them feel. Some students even took out notebooks and sketch pads to take notes or bounce off of Parsons Butler鈥檚 works to create their own. Parsons Butler and Hinton also answered questions from gallerygoers throughout the night. 

"Even if I start a painting of flowers or a landscape, it eventually turns into a person," Parsons Butler remarked when asked if she had ever tried to paint something different. 

鈥淚 Can鈥檛 Quit My People鈥� is on display at the JPAC until March 10, 2023.