Aired Nov. 2, 2009 6:01 PM
By Josh Peterson, KVEW TV Reporter
 
PASCO -- For the past week, Warren Dykeman has been putting together his latest and largest piece of graphic art, and today, he's putting on the finishing touches.

The 42 year old is one of seven contemporary artists displaying their work at Columbia Basin College this month.

But they aren't your typical artists, many are inspired by graffiti and street art.

"Mainly, I'm just collaging images from different sources and then I try to build this composition," said Dykeman.

The new artwork is unique to the college and the community, as the pieces create a window into an out-of-the-box world of art that students can relate to.

"It's what we see everyday. The skateboards, the graphic art of cartoons, but it's got a fine art twist," said Samantha Ray, art enthusiast.

Teachers at CBC also praise the eclectic mix of paintings because they get students involved and interested in a new generation of art they can easily add to.

"They can see artists who have gone, incorporated things they understand and turned into fine arts, rather than studying the old masters and thinking, that doesn't relate to me at all," said Mary Dryburgh, CBC Gallery Coordinator.

But even as others are giving his graphic art meaning, Dykeman says his painting doesn't represent anything.

He's just doing what he loves.

"When I can just sit here alone and make these images, that's the best part, that's the funnest part of it," said Dykeman.