Gateway grad’s 'Heroes and Superheroes' exhibit at Monroeville library

Artist Ian Whetstone recalls the first drawing he made, as well as his family’s positive reaction.

“My mom still has a crayon drawing of a horse that I made while we stayed in a cabin when I was about five,” Whetstone said. “I’ve been doing artwork in some form or another for as long as I can remember.”

And Whetstone’s family is full of creative talent.

“My mom’s side of the family is replete with artists and musicians up and down the generations,” Whetstone said. “My great uncle Jim spent his career as a graphic artist for Pitt.”

Whetstone made a small portrait of his uncle after he died and the drawing is displayed above his desk, watching over the artist when he paints.

Friends of the Monroeville Public Library invite the public to a free opening reception for Whetstone from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the library’s Elaine Biondi Gallery Space.

The exhibit “Heroes and Superheroes” will be on display from Sept. 27 through Oct. 29. Many of Whetstone’s original work and prints will be available for purchase.

As a teenager, Whetstone worked at Monroeville Public Library. He graduated from Gateway High School in 1998 and went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland.

“College provided space and opportunity to make a mess somewhere other than my own home, and I took full advantage,” Whetstone joked.

One of his roommates prodded Whetstone to try different paint mediums, often bringing him watercolors or gouache, an opaque watercolor.

“I’ve been lucky to know little champions of art like him throughout my life,” Whetstone said.

He graduated in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in studio arts. As a student, Whetstone worked in information technology at the university and has remained employed there since 2002.

In his earlier works, Whetstone used pen and ink wash for drawing and painted mostly in watercolor. He has since switched to acrylic paint, which makes more sense in the space he has at home.

“That was a learning curve, but I’ve enjoyed it and really haven’t looked back,” he said.

The artist prefers painting human subjects, especially faces and hands.

“I like pieces with a variety of textural elements — skin, fabrics of differing stiffness, jewelry,” he said. “Something as minor as stitching along a seam can bring a piece alive.”

This summer, Whetstone had a piece selected for the Hoyt Regional Exhibition in New Castle. And one of his pieces titled “Gummy Bear” was selected as Best in Show at the Westmoreland Art Nationals in May.

Whetstone now lives in Level Green with his wife and three children. He explains his decision to paint pop culture and sports icons.

“I want my kids to see that we value all kinds of people,” he said.

Whetstone stressed that, although superheroes are entertainment, there are also stories there, which speak to cultural values and morality.

“They are potent fantasies about responsibility and empowerment,” he said.

To view more of Whetstone’s artwork, see his accounts on Instagram (@ianjwhetstone) and Facebook (ian.whetstone.7).

The library is at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. For questions about the exhibit, contact Linda Reese at monroevillegallerylreese@gmail.com.