Stephanie Dennis

Folk art will be displayed at the Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale, as West Bloomfield artist Alice Frank presents her exhibit “Artful,” beginning Wednesday, May 1.

The gallery, run by the 27 resident artists, changes displays monthly. This month features Frank’s works, which she created in various media.

“I like folk art because you can create a feeling about something that might be local to a certain area,” Frank said. “It has a primitive but playful quality to it.”

Observing people and nature inspires Frank in her projects. She said art is a way for her to capture and remember the moment.

In addition to the Lawrence Street Gallery, The artist belongs The Michigan Watercolor Society, Farmington Artist Club, Michigan Guild of Artists and Artisans, Detroit Society of Women Painters, Crooked Tree Arts, Ohio Designers and Women in the Arts, according to a press release.

Frank has sold pieces to celebrity clients, including musician Bob Seger and actress Victoria Principal.

Elementary education was Frank’s original profession, after earning her bachelor’s degree from The University of Michigan in 1965. As a teacher, she incorporated art into her lessons. She provided other art education for children as well.

Frank says she loves working with children, “because they’re not swayed by any particular thing, they just go with the moment — they are pure and ready to absorb any ideas you may have.”

Frank produces art in a variety of media, including monoprints, fired enamel and metals, though she said watercolor is her favorite.

The folk works she created feature hand-painted paper and found objects united

in collage. She said she put a lot of thought into the pieces’ titles as well.