We dare you to not see this exhibit!

For those who can’t believe that others do not see the same way as you….for those who have been controlled, manipulated, made to fit the box, negated, belittled for your dreams or ideas, judged, condemned, and kept from being yourself… for those who see others as different and needing to change….for those who see how others are not conforming to the “normal” way to live….. We invite you all to come experience the new art exhibit “Perspectives In Paintings” at the William & Joyce Wartmann Art Gallery in Edgerton WI.

“Perspectives in Paintings” explores the experience of differences in perspectives of various award-winning painters from the northwest suburbs of metropolitan Chicago. Five painters painted the same model in the same sitting, where each painting turned out very different – despite their best efforts to paint what is truly there.

The free exhibit opens to the public November 1st and runs until December 8th during the library’s open hours.

The William and Joyce Wartmann Art Gallery is located inside the Edgerton Public Library at 101 Albion Street, Edgerton WI 53534

For more information, please call the library’s front desk at (608) 884-4511 or visit the exhibit’s website at

https://tinyurl.com/perspectivesinpainting  or scan this barcode to be taken to the website:

This exhibit is produced by artist Barbara Kronau-Sorensen and brought to you by
Emerald City Music Productions, Inc. https://tinyurl.com/webemcy

About the exhibit:

Barb Sorensen was hired as the model for various groups of painters in 2014, across the

Northwest suburbs of metropolitan Chicago. They painted in groups of 10 at a time.

Each group would invite a model into the studio, to sit for 4 hours at a time, without moving.

The artists painted on canvases while standing or sitting in a semi-circle around the model.

Each hour, there was a 5-minute pause where the model could stretch her legs. Then it was back to painting.

The outcome of the paintings is fascinating to see. One single model, in one outfit, and yet so many different interpretations of what each painter saw and painted. Their mission was, of course, to paint as true to the original as possible. 

The painters in this exhibit include Jack Mitchell, Michael Latala, Kim Abbati, and MaryKay McMahon and Tara Riley.

What did the model see and experience?

“Of course, I want to look my best in each painter’s eyes. But I cannot control what they see or how they interpret it onto their canvases” says model Barb Sorensen. “There was a photograph taken of me before they began painting, so that we could re-set the pose exactly the same way after each hourly pause. As I sat there, I would stare at the same spot on the wall for all 4 hours.  I was not allowed to laugh at their jokes, or talk, or change my smile or tilt of my head. They did tease me a bit to try to get me to laugh. It was all in good fun. As I sat there, I let my mind wander. I considered the spot on the wall and began to see it as not just a spot, as I judged it to be initially. But soon, I began to see that the shape of the spot was something more than just a spot. It showed a figure of some sort. As I mentioned it to the painters during the pauses, they too began to see the figure in the spot and we were amazed at how innocently we overlook so many things in life by our first judgements.”

“As I walked around during the pauses, I was fascinated at the progress of the paintings and watching them develop into me. Some of the painters captured my energy and spirit with just a few blobs of paint immediately.  Others began with the outline of my physical being before adding the color.  Their pencil sketches were very true to how I saw myself.  Some began with my face; some began with the background first.

During the second pause, the paintings began to take on a bit more detail and color adjustments.

By the third pause, I could see they were focusing in on my face and trying to capture the soul or essence of my being and the detailed wrinkles in my clothing.

And by the end, as I looked at the final products, I was amazed. I saw myself reflected back through each painter’s eyes and experience of my being. I felt moved to tears of gratitude and joy of being recognized and accepted for myself as I am.  I also saw how they seemingly inadvertently connected with me in the picture, with a little bit of their souls reflecting back on that canvas, as well.

I did not get a chance to ask them what it was that resonated within each one of them as they were painting me, so that they were able to bring my spirit and energy onto the canvas as they did.  Stay tuned…. Interviews are coming in the near future and will be posted on the website”.

In hindsight Barb offers the following: “During each pause, as I looked at the paintings, I also felt myself wanting to “help them” or to “tweak it for them” to paint me more accurately as to how I myself see me.” Barb laughs.  “But I recognized too, that their paintings were a process for each one individually to get to a point where they could say – “This is what I see”, for themselves. To express their truths to the world and show us all how they view the world. I was grateful for a chance to practice unconditional acceptance. What a joy to behold such masters at work. Such courage, fearlessness, patience, and fortitude to continue on being true to themselves! I had to trust that they would paint, what they actually saw. And I feel they accomplished that beautifully. ”

The exhibit invites and challenges the viewer to explore what they see in the finished paintings, and how they understand the paintings. A higher recognition seems to whisper that “of course there is more than one perspective in life”. But to see it on canvas is something different. Listening to your thoughts silently tell you how to interpret each painting and then compare them to each other, is interesting to experience. What do you “hear” as you look at the paintings? Why do you think each one looks so different? What are your thoughts telling you? Have you ever tried this yourself? Can you determine the true nature and image of what the artist looked like in the camera’s lens, by combining the paintings in your mind? Why did they paint her so differently? Was it the lighting? The shadows? The energy? Too much coffee? Hunger? Emotional stuff going on? Was it each painters individual years of painting experience and practice that made the paintings turn out so different? Can you tell the personality of each painter from looking at the same model in the pictures? How would you describe each of their personalities?

Upon asking Barb the question of why and how this exhibit came to life, she answers:

“In 2014 when this painting session ended with the group, I remember feeling so amazed and in awe of what we had just done together. I felt a connection like a mother to a child for each of the paintings. Each individual and unique in their own way, and each wonderful. I remember thinking how I would love to show all their paintings in an exhibit to the world. But alas, I had no money to purchase them, and no time back then, to put such a project together.  This year (2024) as I was inventorying all the fun creative things I have done in my career, and how to bring more of them to “market” for other people to enjoy, I remembered these artists. I called them to see if any of their paintings were still available and if I could borrow them to put them in an art exhibit. I wanted to show them to the world. I loved their works and want to show the world this experience we had. I was not expecting a great response. I knew that some of the artists told me early on that they were not happy with their paintings of me and were going to paint over them so they could re-use their canvases and save some money. Those paintings are unfortunately lost.  The ones in this exhibit are the ones that I could retrieve many years later now.”   To Barb’s great surprise, 5 of the artists said an immediate yes and found the pictures under the many years of other paintings they had stored up in their studios. “They had actually saved the paintings of me! I was so happy to hear that, and am grateful they could take the time and lend them to me for this exhibit.”

“There were about 10 painters in this session. I am extremely grateful and surprised that these painters believed in their works so much and took them seriously enough to know that no matter what they put on canvas, it is an honest expression of themselves! I see the paintings as the opening of a conversation with the world. When I heard that some of the painters closed that open door and shut down the “conversation with the universe” by painting over their old works, I felt pained.  But it was their choice. I had to maintain an open-mind and allow them that right. I know they did the right thing for themselves as that time. But I treasured all their works! A once in a lifetime expression of that moment in our lives! What gems!”.

Why is this important? “I see very often how people try to change others to be more “normal” or to do things “their way”. Those not conforming are judged as less than, not capable, handicapped, crazy, insane, losers, etc. They are controlled manipulated, fixed, judged, belittled, negated, and turned down because they do not conform to what “society” or the condemner thinks they ought to be like.

How much damage we cause in the world, society, and thereby also to ourselves, by trying to change others into who we think they ought to be rather than accept that they appear to us just as they are, and deal with our own insecurities and feelings rather than try to control others. It is similar to when I wanted to “help the artists” to make their paintings “be more like me” as I saw it, before they were even finished painting. Why do we try to make others be exactly like us? I am so grateful those painters painted from their own perspectives, and hung onto their own perspectives in their paintings.”

Barb believes we can create a more peaceful world, by accepting others unconditionally just as they are and allowing them to choose for themselves how they choose to live their lives.

“We cannot know every thought, mood, feeling and answer as to why people behave the way they do, or why they do and see things differently than we ourselves do. But we can begin taking a step towards peace and especially freedom for all, by unlocking those under the control of our insistence that they live the way we tell them to or the way think they ought to.”

I am deeply grateful to all the 10 painters for their amazing works and their incredible talents. They have accomplished putting in art, words which I did not think about when I initially began sitting for their painting sessions. When I was in high school, I had learned about how American Indian culture was known for accepting those that were “different” in their tribes, by recognizing that they were sent as a blessing for them to learn from in some way. They treated the blessed ones equally. I am grateful for that lesson and concept.”

“I am grateful for the businesses who support the arts and see them as valuable, and especially this exhibit. Thank you! for keeping an open mind”

 ·      Sunshine Sciences https://sunshinesciences.com

 ·      Asian Island Grocery https://theasianisland.com

We hope you take a few minutes to view this exhibit.

For more information on the model Barb Sorensen, the painters, or this exhibit, please visit the exhibit’s website at https://tinyurl.com/perspectivesonpainting

About the model: Barb Sorensen is an original pop/rock/country/folk singer/songwriter out of Palatine, IL. She is also a part time model and artist.  https://www.facebook.com/barb.sorensen.961

Emerald City Music Productions, Inc. is an entertainment productions company owned by Barbara Kronau-Sorensen. They produce original family-friendly, multicultural and multi-platform entertainment.  It also functions as Barb’s record label. https://tinyurl.com/webemcy

The exhibit is currently in the process of being repaired. There was some minor damage to some of the picture frames.  we are also bringing in new artists to the display. Stay tuned for more news coming soon :) 

When: December 1-31 2024 - open to viewing during regular hours

Where: The William and Joyce Wartmann Gallery inside the Edgerton Public Library - 101 Albion St, Edgerton, WI 53534

Free admission, Free parking

Click on each artist's name below to read their bios.

Model: Barb Sorensen 

Artist Michael Latala

Artist Tara Riley

Artist Mary Kay McMahon

Artist Jack MItchell