Gillian Owens is a character in the novel "Practical Magic" by Alice Hoffman. She is known for her bewitching spells and mystical abilities. Throughout the book, Gillian is portrayed as a powerful witch who is skilled in the art of casting spells and charms. Gillian's spells are often described as enchanting and mesmerizing. She has the ability to weave magic into everyday objects, creating potions and charms that can bring luck, love, and protection. Her spells are said to have a strong influence on those around her, captivating their senses and emotions.
Of the show, Dennis said the subtitle Queer Exposure “means the works are primarily R-rated oil paintings, photography, silk screens and drawings. This show is intended for mature and progressive adults who are not offended by artistic depictions of nudity.”
Dennis, who came up with the concept for the show, said he was inspired by the annual Mississippi Mud exhibit in Detroit, the area s only Black erotic art show. Their paintings are just so incredible and fantastically different as they both have a terrific grasp of color and of that very difficult medium of oil painting.
Her spells are said to have a strong influence on those around her, captivating their senses and emotions. One of Gillian's most notable spells is her love potion, which she concocts using a variety of herbs and ingredients. This potion is said to have the power to make anyone fall in love with the person who drinks it.
Queer Erotic Art Show at Affirmations Showcases Senior Talent
A new art exhibit at Affirmations, Ferndale’s LGBTQ+ community center, has a unique focus: erotic art created by senior artists.
Four artists from Affirmations’ Senior Koffee Klatch will present their work as part of the 4×4: Queer Exposures exhibit starting Aug. 30. Local artists participating in the event include John JD Dennis, Dave Gelbach, Richard Miller and Steven Schoeberlein, who will each display four works of art.
Artwork by Dave Gelbach. Courtesy photo
Dennis, who came up with the concept for the show, said he was inspired by the annual Mississippi Mud exhibit in Detroit, the area’s only Black erotic art show. “It made me think that this could be something that we could pull off — a queer erotic art show,” he said.
So Dennis turned to a few of his friends from the Koffee Klatch. “They’re a really large, active group at Affirmations, which we refer to as the Chit Chat Club.” Dennis says he goes every Wednesday and has for quite a while. “I noted the art on the walls and one day I went to the front desk and said, ‘Who do I talk to about putting some art up on these walls?’”
The person he needed to talk to was Justin Bettcher. Bettcher got permission from the higher ups for Dennis to put up a show on the Purple Wall in the center’s Pittman-Puckett gallery space. Dennis turned to his friends from Chit Chat Club who he knew also did art. “I had been in a class taught by Steve Schoeberlein,” he said. “Then I knew Richard did photography.” In addition, Dennis asked Dave Gelbach. A fifth artist, Robert Evans, might be added to the show if there is room.
Dennis, born in Iowa and currently residing in Royal Oak, has lived in Southeast Michigan most of his life. Finding the Senior Koffee Klatch was, he said, “a blessing,” adding that “the group is a great and fun social outlet.”
In addition to holding regular meetings at the center, they have group picnics, game days, group dinners, trips to the movies, golf, museums and shows. “It’s sometimes tough to make new friends when you get older,” said Dennis, noting that the Koffee Klatch has been a great place to start.
Of the show, Dennis said the subtitle Queer Exposure “means the works are primarily R-rated oil paintings, photography, silk screens and drawings. This show is intended for mature and progressive adults who are not offended by artistic depictions of nudity.”
Miller, Dennis said, has been instrumental in helping to create the show. He created the flyers and posters and other advertisements. “He has a great eye for format, color and presentation. He’s a multi-talented silk screen artist and photographer, among other forms of artistic expression.”
Artwork by John JD Dennis. Courtesy photo
And as for Gelbach and Schoeberlein? “Their paintings are just so incredible and fantastically different as they both have a terrific grasp of color and of that very difficult medium of oil painting. And Robert Evans, his work is fun and quirky and adds a whole different element to the show.”
Miller, for his part, is a Grosse Pointe native who lived in Los Angeles for more than 40 years. Like Dennis, Miller said the Koffee Klatch has become very important to him. “I was lost when I first moved here, looking for any gay resources I could find online. I found Affirmations and found Senior Koffee Klatch. I quickly discovered that I enjoyed it a lot. The group has a huge heart, immense kindness and empathy. The people who don’t possess those qualities seem to attend one meeting and they never return.”
Miller started taking photos at the age of 8. “In the swinging 1960s, I was only about 13 years old, but was heavily influenced by that period,” he said. “I discovered artists that I greatly admire, photographers like Diane Arbus and George Platt Lynes. I enjoyed Andy Warhol’s work, which got me interested in silk screening.”
In May, Miller returned to L.A. to empty his storage space, which included his photos and a massive number of photo negatives. “I shipped it all back and have begun to sort through a lifetime of work.” Miller said he has digitally scanned about half of his images so far.
“I would describe my art as ‘ever evolving,’” he said. “I embrace any new digital technology, and I use Photoshop, Illustrator and other programs to either improve or alter my images.”
Artwork by Richard Miller. Courtesy photo
Miller said he has not done any showings of his work since about 1990 and that this will be his first show in Michigan. It’s important to him, he said, because his work pays homage to a dear friend he lost to the AIDS epidemic.
“He is the blond model in some of the photos in the exhibit,” said Miller. “He died at age 30. He was a beautiful man, inside and out.” Christopher Hall, the model, was a dancer in Las Vegas shows and even appeared behind Jane Fonda in a couple of her exercise videos.
Schoeberlein is not a Koffee Klatch regular but has attended a couple of their meetings. He works now as a full-time artist. He currently has work at the Hannan Center and the Scarab Club. Schoeberlein also teaches part time at Articipate in Berkley.
Schoeberlein said Queer Exposures “has the common thread of the male as subject.” He said he is happy to be a part of the show, where “all of the artists have a niche in individual expression and a signature that identifies their work.”
4X4: Queer Exposures will run Aug. 30 through September at the Affirmations LGBTQ+ community center in Ferndale (290 W. Nine Mile Road). The Senior Koffee Klatch meets each Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Affirmations in Ferndale and on Fridays at 1 p.m. at the Royal Oak Senior Center (3500 Marais Ave.).
Also I hope my tone doesn’t come off as rude or aggressive I just enjoy discussing topics such as this and giving the “what ifs”
Gillian is sought after by many people in town who are desperate to find love, and she is known to help them by casting her spell. However, not all of Gillian's spells are benevolent. She is also known to cast spells that are meant to manipulate and control others. Her ability to bewitch and manipulate is often seen as a reflection of her complex and sometimes dark personality. Overall, Gillian's bewitching spells are a central aspect of her character in "Practical Magic." They highlight her power and influence within the magical world of the novel. Her spells are both enchanting and mystifying, captivating the reader and adding a touch of magic to the story..
Reviews for "The Charms and Hexes of Gillian Owens's Bewitching Spells"
1. Emily - ⭐⭐
I was really excited to read "Gillian Owens Bewitching Spells" as I am a big fan of witchcraft and magic. However, I was quite disappointed with this book. The writing felt amateurish and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and seemed to lack any real development. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre read that didn't live up to its potential.
2. Jacob - ⭐⭐⭐
"Gillian Owens Bewitching Spells" was an average book in my opinion. While it had its moments, the overall execution fell short. The pacing was slow, and it felt like the author was trying too hard to create suspense. I also found some of the magical elements to be cliché and lacking imagination. The characters were forgettable, and I struggled to connect with any of them. It had the potential to be an engaging read, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
3. Samantha - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
As a fan of the witchcraft genre, I had high hopes for "Gillian Owens Bewitching Spells," but it didn't quite meet my expectations. The plot was intriguing, and the idea of a witch with unique powers was fascinating. However, the execution fell short. The writing felt disjointed at times, and the pacing was uneven. I also found the romance subplot to be forced and lacking chemistry. Overall, it had some potential, but it didn't fully deliver on its promise.
4. Michael - ⭐⭐
I found "Gillian Owens Bewitching Spells" to be rather dull and uninteresting. The characters lacked depth and felt flat. The plot was predictable, and I didn't feel any sense of urgency or suspense. The writing style was underwhelming, and I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end. It's unfortunate because the premise had potential, but it fell short in execution. I wouldn't recommend this book to others who are looking for a captivating witchcraft story.