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This project was made possible, in part, with funding by the Arts & Science Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Calendar
Pastel: Passing Through
Tuesday, February 23, 7-9pm
February's meeting featured a demonstration by the famous award winning artist Greg Barnes. Greg joined us for an evening of instruction and teaching using his refined skills as a pastel artist.
He demonstrated (using pastels) how to begin to create a landscape from one or more photographs. He discussed the many aspects of composition and design, with an emphasis on value, building the dark areas first and working towards the light areas.
He talked about making the painting more than just a copy of a photograph, by discussing which areas to accentuate and which to play down or eliminate. He demonstrated how the process looks from his point of view while showing us how to find our own voice. We also got a chance to see some of his wonderful finished paintings.
After spending over 15 years as a so-called “artist in remission,” Greg began a full time art career on the heels of the 9/11 disaster. Realizing that life is short, he felt that he’d better start doing what he was made to do. Taking a leap of faith with wife Janet, he began supporting the family by doing portraits, which always came naturally to him. Shortly thereafter, Greg found that pastels were the perfect mix of drawing and painting that he’d been looking for. The immediacy and vibrant look of the finished “paintings” encouraged him to learn as much as he could about the medium. Taking week-long workshops with pastel artists Kevin Beck and Albert Handell sharpened his skill for painting on location (en plein air). Quickly, Greg discovered that his pastel landscapes were becoming popular in the Charlotte area and beyond. Fueled by their love for travel, Greg and Janet decided to show his work at juried art festivals. He has since traveled most of the country to display and sell his paintings, and has collectors from over 30 states and worldwide.
Greg has begun passing on his skills by teaching workshops. Visit his website at www.BarnesStudios.com for more information on shows, workshops, and recent paintings.
Mint Hill Arts is located at 7714 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227
Phone: 980-226-5532
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