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Find a ‘Taste of Carlton Gallery’ at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum for the Month of June

June 10, 2013. “A Taste” of Carlton Gallery can be experienced at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum for the month of June. BRAHM is a non-profit museum whose function is to promote visual arts, history, and also to celebrate the rich heritage of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains through permanent collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.    

Birches - Oil on Canvas by Kevin Beck
Birches – Oil on Canvas by Kevin Beck

 A “Small Sampling” of art work from gallery artists Warren Dennis, Kevin Beck, Vae Hamilton, Egi Antonaccio, Brian Carney, Freeman Beard, Joyce Norwood and the late Jim Crompton is on exhibit during June with subject matter ranging from landscapes, horses, dogs, musicians, figurative and still life.  An Artist’s Reception is planned for Thursday, June 13, 6 to 7 p.m. where some of the exhibiting artists will be in attendance to meet patrons and visitors.

Warren Dennis’ figurative musicians on exhibit are rendered in two styles – his signature elongated figures along with his new cubist inspired work. The human image is central in Dennis’ paintings. His interest in the human being in all its aspects has always dominated Dennis’ work as he imparts life and a sense of vitality into his paintings. Dennis’ entire body of work is a meditation on the American Spirit.

Kevin Beck renders his landscape paintings in both pastel and oil in plein air and in his studio. He is a keen observer of the landscape such as capturing on canvas how shadows are cast by the light.  Beck’s paintings are recognized for their vibrancy and the resonance of his palette and are in many public and private collections.

Egi Antonaccio’s landscape paintings are inspired from nature and his great love of color. His paintings in acrylics rendered with palette knives express his impressionistic inspiration from local scenes. Antonaccio’s colors applied with heavy texture appear abstracted up close until the painting is viewed from a distance, then the subject matter is clearly defined in this loose style. His signature realistic landscapes in oils can be found at Carlton Gallery

Vae Hamilton developed a love for and began riding horses at an early age which has continued throughout her life. The strength, energy and beauty of the horse are visually alive in her mixed media collages, as each painting captures the gentle gaze and soft eyes of her “friends”.

Wildlife and animal painter, Brian Carney, embraces a Cézanne Impressionistic style which he calls “Abstract Realism” – painting from the negative shape which is an abstract thought process.  A family trip to the beach inspired his painting of a dog joyfully playing in the surf.  ”Wave Runner” interprets realism by its color and mood. 

Vae Hamilton - Irish - 48x36Joyce Norwood is a talented artist who captures the theory of how local color of any object is affected by its light source. Her paintings of small children playing on the beach capture the magical moments of a summer day through her layers of brilliantly colored brushwork.

Watercolorist Freeman Beard’s paintings always capture the color, mood, or truth of a subject. He paints landscapes, seascapes, florals and figures.  His painting “Hot Glass” captures the intense concentration for the art of glassblowing.

Jim Crompton was a versatile artist whose talent and art studies allowed him to paint any subject matter.  A much loved painting subject for him was musicians – jazz being his favorite. Crompton’s painting “Jass Fools” depicts his talent in composition, color and brush strokes. A diverse collection of his artwork is offered through Carlton Gallery.

After enjoying the taste at Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, visit Carlton Gallery for a “Full Course”.  The gallery‘s spirited collection of art work includes glass, wood, paintings, clay, sculpture, fiber and fine jewelry by local and regional artists.  The ongoing “Voyages and Visions” exhibit by Helen Farson, Gina Strumpf and Sharon Rusch Shaver can be viewed through June 18. An exhibit, “Approaching the Edge of Color”, by Andrew Braitman will begin with an artist’s reception on June 22 – 2-5pm.

Carlton Gallery is located 10 miles south of Boone and 7 miles north of Linville on NC 105 South. Hours are 10 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday.  For information on artists, exhibitions or workshops, call (828 963-4288 or visit www.carltongallery.com.