Artist Paraskevas Opens Retrospective Show in Southampton Village

Beachscapes, book illustrations and new paintings of New Jersey houses are part of a retrospective by artist Michael Paraskevas on view at 4 N Main Gallery in Southampton Village through Dec 31.

The retrospective show features Paraskevas' artwork from the 1980s through today.  There are paintings made for his children's book series, "Maggie and the Ferocious Beast," the beach paintings he is known for and works from other series, including his new works: a series of houses from Ocean Grove, N.J. Paraskevas, who grew up in New Jersey but have lived in Southampton for decades, kicked off the exhibition with an artist's reception Saturday, drawing devoted fans, friends and art lovers.

A long-time friend, Justin Cosell of Stamford, Conn. said the exhibition demonstrates Paraskevas' productive nature and the diverse projects under his belt. "It really shows how prolific he is," Cosell said. "He's like the Energizer Bunny. He keeps going."

Paraskevas is also known for the animated Nick Jr. children's show based on his  "Maggie and the Ferocious Beast" series, which he made in collaboration with his late mother, Betty Paraskevas. They worked together on other children's books and on cartoon strips "Junior Kroll" and "Green Monkeys," which is published in . Paraskevas' art has appeared on more than 60 Dan's Papers covers, including the current issue. He's also the writer/producer of "The Cheap Show," a puppet show for adults airing on Plum TV.

New children's books are in the works. "Taffy Saltwater" is due to be released shortly and Paraskevas began collaborating with his twin sister, Judy, following the death of their mother in April. A whimsical book about a rabbit and snowman may be their first title together.  

The exhibition includes small paintings (12 inch by 12 inch) made specifically for the show. The window ledge holds round paintings of similar size. Each is a portrait of a character in the book "Shamlanders,"  illustrated by Paraskevas and written by his mother.

Sketchbooks that visually record his experiences, such as Pink Floyd concerts and the Hampton Classic Horse Show, are also included. Most of his sketchbook pages move past drawings to include color.

Paraskevas said he wanted to present a little bit of everything in the retrospective. "I just picked things I liked," he said.

All of the art displays Paraskevas's penchant for the unusual and slightly startling. This ranges from cartoon creatures and fat ladies on the beach to beach balls with legs and relaxed spies from Berlin.  

"There has to have a twist to it," Paraskevas said.

And no matter what the subject, all of his art conjures a story, a method he picked up from his mother. Betty Paraskevas was a playwright and lyricist before turning her pen toward children's books and partnering with her son. Paraskevas was an established illustrator before the two locked talents.

"Writing, which I learned from my mother, made me think more about what I was painting and not so much how I was painting," he said. "Too many artists get wrapped up in the process of painting … They forget the painting is supposed to be about something."

Even his series of houses in Ocean Grove tell a story. However, the stories that beckon are more subtle: why a bird alighted on a particular rooftop or what's happening between the row of electric lines and the people behind a nearby window. It was the houses themselves that called to the artist and caused a story to begin.

"There's something about windows that makes me wonder what's going on inside," Parasekevas said.

There's usually something fun about Paraskevas' work that makes the viewer feel happy by seeing it, said Sarah Santo of Westhampton, who added that she has spent many hours with Paraskevas in his Westhampton gallery.

"They're fun and upbeat," Santo said. "Technically, they're wonderful. That's a given. They're just enjoyable to look at."

"Michael Paraskevas: A Retrospective" is on view through Dec. 31 at 4 N Main Gallery, 4 North Main St, Southampton. The gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. daily.