The things you see with your own eyes may not bewhat others see for themselves.

That is what Les MacDiarmid, a non-tradional student from Detroit, believes in with his artwork.

His exhibit, which is currently being displayed at Java Cafe Central through this month, is titled Life is but a Dream.

According to MacDiarmid, the inspiration for his art is self-expression. “We all have different perspectives of life,” says MacDiarmid. “We all look through our own eyes, which is different from other’s views.”

His pieces on display now are all from things he has seen. Some are from his own neighborhood, others were inspired by artists he admires.

“I tried to copy and learn,” said MacDiarmid. “I try to incorporate what they have done into my own style.”

A piece which caught my eye was Moon Dreams. The frame itself adds to the mood and essence of the painting.

His paintings aren’t based on realism.

“Imagination is lacking in artists who paint realism,” said MacDiarmid. “I want to see something new, something different.”

The paintings on display now show exactly that. He has painted images from his own perspective.

“You can imagine your own life,” MacDiarmid said, “and see things the way you want to see them. I exaggerate my pieces with my own energy, my own creativity. It’s conceptualizing what I feel.”

With the exhibit being shown at Java Cafe Central, it adds a bit of a warm atmosphere. The place is artsy and anyone can enjoy a nice cup of coffee and look at amazing artwork too.

“When it [Java Cafe Central] first opened,” said MacDiarmid, “I had a few pieces of artwork already on display there. It was the most logical place to exhibit my artwork.”

A few pieces have been inspired by Andy Warhol. Two other artists who have inspired his work are Picasso and Renoir.

According to MacDiarmid, Picasso inspires him because he has set the art world on its ear. All of his work is drastically different.

He is inspired by Renior because of the colors that he uses in his pieces.

“I don’t paint to stack all of my artwork in a corner,” said MacDiarmid. “I paint to show off my art.”

MacDiarmid is currently at UTM to improve his artwork, and to make more of a visual image so others can understand it.

“Artwork is very colorful,” he said, “It kind of moves. Inanimate objects do have a life, you got to feel it. Music makes people want to dance. I want my artwork to do the same... to have people feel it.”

MacDiarmid is a sophomore Art major. The exhibit will be displayed at the Java Cafe Central until the end of the month.

All pieces on display are for sell by the artist.