Three generations of the Whisenant family — Norma, Marie and Adam — are exhibiting their work at Wisconsin Bank and Trust through November.

Norma Whisenant works with watercolor, charcoal, colored pencil, and oils. She began painting 16 years ago taking classes from Katherine Skipper, a North Carolina artist. During an extended stay in Italy she took classes from a restoration artist and university professor in Florence. Since moving to Platteville 10 years ago, she has become active in the local scene, joining the Lancaster Art Association, Friends of Our Gallery and the Wisconsin Regional Art Program.  Her paintings have been on display at Grant Regional Health Care in Lancaster, several local banks and Rountree Gallery.

“Art is a journey of discovery, seeing the world in color and shape,” she said. “There is inspiration in the ordinary.  I have met many artists who encourage, give advice, and share so generously their knowledge and experience.  I am honored to be among such talent.”

Marie, Norma’s daughter-in-law, is a photographer who captures her images with a Nikon digital SLR and uses Photoshop minimally to crop, enhance brightness, contrast, color and/or sharpen.  Initially she was drawn to drawing and painting, but discovered photography about 15 years ago.

Rather than the nature of the subject she’s often drawn to its lighting, composition, texture and color in a given scene.”While it’s always exciting to visually explore new places and scenes, I know there are interesting images everywhere, and practice ‘seeing’ with or without my camera, every day,” she said. “Since I’ve been an active photographer, I find I’m noticeably more observant and appreciative of the beauty around me.”

Adam, 5, the son of Marie and grandson of Norma, said, “Art is fun.  Art is colorful –that’s why it’s fun.  Art can be made by anybody.  It doesn’t matter what person you are. …”  Adam says his favorite mediums are clay and paints.