Prodigal Son

Since longtime Denver artist Bill Amundson returned to his home town of Stoughton, Wisconsin, two years ago — something he refers to as his “exile here in the cheese gulag” — he’s had plenty of time to work, an essential step in rendering the large, highly detailed pencil drawings he’s known for. But this week, he’s taking a break to revisit Denver during a vacation that includes an appearance at tonight’s Logan Lecture at the Denver Art Museum. Also famous for his humorous artist talks, the obsessed Amundson says this one will take many directions. “I plan on trying to talk about everything I’ve ever done in my life during my allotted ninety minutes or so, but in reality, I’ll probably concentrate on the last decade, with emphasis on the work I have in the museum collection,” he says, and that includes “low-self-esteem portraits, my political drawings, my architectural renderings of folks both anonymous and famous,” along with his most recent works.

“I’ll also try to relate a few anecdotes that the audience will find both humorous and touching,” he adds. “This I will botch badly.” Find out for yourself when the lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the Sharp Auditorium at the Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway; admission ranges from $8 to $18. For reservations, call 720-913-0130 or go to tickets.denverartmuseum.org/Bill_Amundson_LL.
While he’s in town, Amundson will also preside over a small show of new works upstairs at Plus Gallery, 2501 Larimer Street, sharing an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, November 30, with modern portrait painter Austin Parkhill, who’s featured in the main gallery. Both shows continue through January 12; for more information, visit www.plusgallery.com.

Wed., Nov. 28, 2012