The Force is With ArtInsights

The force is strong at the ArtInsights Animation and Film Gallery in the Reston Town Center as gallery owners Leslie Combemale and Michael Barry gear up for an exhibit featuring original art works based on the "Star Wars" movies.

Combemale and Barry, whose gallery specializes in movie art, are headed for Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando this week, where they will represent an exclusive piece - "the Cold of Hoth" - by  John Alvin.

Alvin created some of the best-known poster images of this century, from  movies such as "Star Wars," "Bladerunner," and "E.T."

"The verb  'Alvanizing,' was coined in honor of Alvin, depicting his ability to give an image "an emotional ooomph,'  " says  Combemale.

Reston "Star Wars" fans will can see and purchase  mixed media pieces by artists such as Mark Chiarello, Randy Martinez, Steven Chorney, and Christian Waggoner at the Star Wars exhibit at ArtInsights.

The display focuses on everything from young, introspective Luke Skywalker, to Princess Leia to the sinister Darth Vader. 

A presentation displays an ongoing montage of "Star Wars" art, including one of a number of the well-known characters water-skiing together.

Regular gallery patron Jon Fiedler has been a fan of George Lucas' mythical world his entire life. "When 'Return of the Jedi' came out, I saw it eleven times in the theater," he says.

In his spare time, he participates in a group that dresses up and performs at charity events as Darth Vader's elite troopers, the 501^st Legion.

 Barry and Combemale started selling animation art in Alexandria in 1987,  at a time when there were only a total of five galleries in the world that sold these types of creations.

"We have been at the forefront of what I believe to be fine art," says Combemarle. 

Now they sell their exclusive works internationally from their Reston gallery, which they moved into 17 years ago.

 Combemale says she focuses on what she loves at the gallery, so there is a compilation of items ranging from Disney to Harry Potter to "Star Wars."  She is an avid "Star Wars" follower, and her enthusiasm is catching--the mood is festive as friends and regulars come in to talk with her and check out the latest "Star Wars" offerings.

 Combemale says one of the best things about film and illustrative art is that it allows young children to see art to which they can connect, which helps them embrace the idea of being a collector of art. 

"It's all about remembering an experience, and a certain nostalgia," she says, just as " Star Wars" fans recall the first time they were introduced to the galaxy far, far away.