Tryon Painters and Sculptors (TPS) will feature Don Blackwell at their upcoming Art, Wine and Cheese program on April 30 from 4-6 p.m.

Born in Hendersonville, N.C., Blackwell’s pen and ink images reflect his love of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the inhabitants. A versatile artist, his works are done in pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, airbrush and colored pencil.

He is also creating work in a unique form of expression called pyrography or burning an image into various mediums. He also carves in wood, crafting mountain wood spirits on hiking sticks, canes and larger pieces. Blackwell creates works that when viewed from a distance, are almost photo-realistic. Moving close, the eye begins to see the thousands of pen and ink dots in a technique made famous by the French Impressionists called “pointillism.” He teaches drawing, pen and ink, and colored pencil, and conducts an open studio at Isothermal Community College.

Please join TPS at their studio on 26 Maple St., April 30, 4-6 p.m., for a demonstration of Blackwell’s skills and discussion of “Inktense Pencils” as a medium of expression.

– article submitted by Susan Hopps