ART FOR CHRISTMAS

"Prayer to the Wild Things" by Beverly Doolittle

"And Crown Thy Good With Brotherhood" by Terry Redlin

Wood sculpture

Wooden duck carvings by Bob Havel

Browsing the shops in Cape Girardeau for the perfect Christmas gift you might not expect to come home with an original piece of 19th century art. But you could.

Whether a wood carving by Bob Harvey, an original oil by Jane Bazinet or anything in between, Cape Girardeau galleries have a lot to offer shoppers who are thinking of art for Christmas.

Chrisman Outfitters and Art Gallery offers a wide variety of prints to suit every taste. Terry Redlin, whose prints depict America's past, is a popular seller. His use of light acts as a magnetic attraction that brings the scenes to life.

The candlelight from a window on a cold winter's evening, the shimmer of the morning sunrise across a lake, the glow from the campfire of a mining town -- these and many other such scenes have been created by Redlin as a means of preserving Americana.

Chrisman's also has exclusive rights for this area to the carvings of Bob Harvey. Harvey's waterfowl are so detailed that one expects them to engage in flight at any moment.

Bev Doolittle offers a fun approach to art. Her paintings are pictures within pictures. Doolittle's "Prayer to the Wild Things" actually contains 27 hidden images.

Mary Ann Kellerman when she opened Kelsen Galleries to offer Cape Girardeau residents the opportunity to appreciate and obtain pieces that were not currently available.

Through the holidays, Kelsen's is showing the work of Jane Bazinet, whose figurative work dwells at the crossroads of poetic realism and abstract expressionism. In additions to oils, Bazinet also has available a self-portrait watercolor and a number of limited edition prints.

Finding an original piece of 19th century European art might sound like a difficult task but Kellerman's yearly buying trips to Europe makes it possible.

Steven Gregg Galleries has on display the works of northern Indiana artist Tim Liess. Liess's use of vibrant color in his Midwestern scenery pieces brings an emotional touch to his work.

The works of local artist Marilyn Singleton are also available at the Gregg gallery.

The Arts Council has an ever-changing display of pieces available for purchase.