Tryon artist and gallery owner Rich Nelson will speak about his work at the Lanier Library on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at noon. The program is free and everyone is welcome.
Nelson earned his B.F.A. at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, Mich. in 1988 and there developed his love of painting, drawing, figurative art and art history. Since then he has gained a strong reputation as a portrait and landscape artist, having completed more than 500 portraits and numerous other paintings.
He has had a number of one-person shows and won several awards, including being a finalist in the 2010 Artist’s Magazine annual art competition, first place in the Portrait Society of America’s 2009 competition and Best Portfolio in that society’s 2003 and 2004 competitions.
In describing his work, Nelson said, “I work toward ‘painterly realism’ – good drawing and composition, rendered with strong natural color, in such a way that you can still ‘sense’ or ‘feel’ the paint. The effect of this process is that the subject begins to artfully reveal itself to me and, hopefully, the viewer.
“Though portraiture is a major part of my career, I also love painting landscape, still life and figurative gallery pieces. I am endlessly fascinated by people, places and things and consider it a privilege and a challenge to capture some aspect of their essence on canvas.”
Nelson and his wife, Kim, own and run Skyuka Fine Art, a gallery in Tryon that has recently completed its first year of operation. The gallery features both local and nationally-known artists and participates in Tryon gallery strolls and other events, including lectures and performances.
The event at the Lanier Library is part of the library’s Brown Bag Lunch series, held at noon on the third Tuesday of every month, to which the audience is encouraged to bring a bagged lunch if desired. Coffee is provided, the program is free and everyone is welcome.
– article submitted by Frances Flynn