July 2, 2013. David Birmingham “Nothing Could Be Finer” is the new exhibition opening at the Art Cellar Gallery this week. A celebratory reception with the artist will be held this Saturday, July 6, from 4-6 p.m. and everyone is invite to come out to meet this accomplished artist and view his newest paintings.
“Nothing Could Be Finer” seemed the perfect title for his exhibition because of Birmingham’s love of Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and his ability to capture the richness and beauty of the landscape through oil on canvas. David Birmingham has been working for over a year creating a collection of richly detailed paintings which range from vast gorge views to walking paths, all of which transport viewers to the locations that inspired the artist.
A classically trained painter, Birmingham studied in Australia, then in England at the University of London and the Royal Academy of Art. He continued his studies and travels throughout Europe, including The Grand Chaumiere Academy in Paris. Fortunately for us, his travels brought him to the United States where he taught at The Art Institute of Miami, eventually visiting the NC mountains where he soon established a home and studio. Birmingham has been represented by The Art Cellar Gallery since 1998, and his paintings have many enthusiastic collectors.
A life long artist, Birmingham has focused most of his artist energy on capturing the landscape around him; the mountain peaks and quiet back roads, but he has also created many classical garden scenes, figurative works and still lives. His work is in collections in France and England and in public and private collections throughout the United States. He is painting and drawing everyday and says nature is the best of teachers.
The Art Cellar Gallery will be featuring David Birmingham’s “Nothing Could Be Finer” exhibition on the main floor gallery, while the upstairs and downstairs galleries will offer a wide range of work from their diverse collection of artists. The artists represent some of the most accomplished local and North Carolina artists as well as acclaimed artists from other parts of the southeast. The selection rangers from realism to abstraction, from painting to sculpture including glass and the work of North Carolina clay artists.
The month of July also included two other feature events of North Carolina painters. The first is a feature exhibition that will take place at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum in Blowing Rock and will feature the trompe le oil works of artist Gregory Smith in the museum’s Community Gallery. The artist will be having a coffee talk presentation at BRAHM on Friday, July 12, at 10 a.m. This will a great opportunity to view the show and meet the diverse and accomplished artist as he shares some of the history of trompe le oil and his personal artisti inspiration.
In the middle of July the gallery will present an exhibit by artist Tony Griffin, “Drawing from Life” which will feature his figurative work both nudes and portraits, studio still lives and a collection of plein air works. Griffin’s work has evolved from a deep-rooted understanding and appreciation of the academic approach to a more personal and direct interpretation of his experiences and surroundings. This insightful show will feature his works in oils as well as inks and charcoals on paper.
Offering one more way to celebrate this weekend, everyone is invited to the Art Cellar Gallery to attend the opening reception this Saturday, July 6, from 4-6 p.m. The “Nothing Could Be Finer” exhibition runs through July 27. Located on NC 184 in Banner Elk, the Art Cellar Gallery can be contacted at 828-898-5175 for more information.
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