From a distance, it looks like just another pretty snowflake, but if you take a closer look, it's actually six angels rising from the center. Les Barker's work is often like that. It's ideal for a lobby or waiting room. When you're just passing through, you get a vaguely pleasant feeling from the pretty pictures. But if you have some time to spend, there are serious details to appreciate.

Barker's work is currently on display at the Naperville Cutural Center. The Gremlin is currently taking a class in manga creation at the Center, which is how I became involved. Every few months, the Cultural Center displays art by Illinois artists. Barker's work will be on display until January 11. In addition to wall paintings, he also has desk art etched onto thick transparent plastic, as shown on the right. (I apologize for the quality of the photo: Bruce took it with his cell phone camera.)

Anybody can make a fun-looking snowflake with paper and scissors, but to do something like the six angels you need a very find level of control. Barker gets it from an Xacto knife for the cutting and tracing paper for the medium. Tracing paper apparently strikes just the right balance between thin enough to cut in multiple layers and strong enough to survive the unfolding process.

If you're in the neighborhood on December 17th, Barker will be demonstrating his techniques at the Cultural Center Open House. He also has his own web site-- http://www.kahnjee.com-- which includes a gallery of his work along with contact information.

Be sure to tell him Ferdy sent you.

Respectfully submitted,

Ferdinand T. Cat