Opposites attract in the most recent King Hall art exhibits and with yesterday’s visiting artist.

Carol Long, a ceramics artist, visited art students yesterday and talked about her artwork. She also did demonstrations throughout the day, showing how she creates her art.

Long’s exhibit, comprised of her ceramic works is called “Place Time & Honey.” Long has been drawn to art since a child and in high school found ceramics was her favorite.

“I work in a series, so it could take weeks to months to get something from the beginning to the end done,” Long said.

Long is inspired by plant and animal life. She is enthralled by all of the microscopic aspects of nature. Long said she sees beauty in things that are generally taken for granted and uses her artwork to portray the beauty she sees to others.

“I don’t watch TV or anything (while I work),” Long said. “I listen to a lot of music or books on tape.”

Growing up, Long was surrounded by trees. She formed a connection with nature and an appreciation of plant and animal life throughout her childhood.

“I like to evoke the feeling of joy and growth,” Long said.

Michelle Parkman, senior paint and printmaking major and art history minor, currently has a display in King Hall.

Parkman’s exhibition, “Grim,” opened in the Gilson Memorial Gallery on Sept. 15. Parkman has been studying art at the collegiate level for the last 10 years.

“It’s really about how the world is and how I see how people live their lives and how that’s going to affect how they are in life and what happens after death,” Parkman said.

Parkman said she can work on a piece of artwork for two weeks to three months. When painting, she usually uses oil paint. For texture, Parkman uses joint compound and covers them in oil paint.

“It’s just second hand, I guess,” Parkman said. “Once I’ve already got it all planned out, it’s already in my head. I already know what I need to put down.”

Parkman has been studying art at the collegiate level for the last 10 years.

“Michelle (Parkman) does a lot of investing time and energy to produce unique and interesting textures in her artwork,” said Derek Wilkinson, assistant professor of art. “The rich and complex surface texture speaks to her dedication to her work. You can’t produce those types of works by taking shortcuts.”

The Norman R. Eppink Gallery and the Gilson Memorial Gallery in King Hall are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.