August 2013

Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg in Spartanburg, SC, Features Works by Jim Shaver and Phillip Atchley

The Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg in Spartanburg, SC, will present Painted and Wood Visions, featuring works by members Jim Shaver and Phillip Atchley, on view in the Guild Gallery, located in the Chapman Cultural Center, from Aug. 1 - 27, 2013. A reception will be held on Aug. 15, from 6-8pm, in conjunction with ArtWalk.

Jim Shaver lives in Spartanburg with his wife Amie and their three canine misfits. His interest in working with wood began in his teens, and other than a wood shop class in high school, he is a self-taught artist.

In describing his passion for creating things out of wood, he said, “My first project was a set of step end-tables and a coffee table made from cherry and walnut. After that, I never looked at another tree the same. Instead, I thought of what the tree could become. I enjoy finding trees that have fallen as a result of storms or left behind by loggers, and as a result my next find was an 80-year-old tree that had been cut down by a contractor, and I made a rustic southwestern coffee table from that find. The Navy and work have occupied most of my time until I recently retired and remembered my love for creating with wood. My latest adventure is woodcarving and turning, and have spent hours making pencils, candleholders, paint brush holders and pen/pencil holders. Most of my work is rustic, and I like to use all parts of the wood when I create.”

Phillip Atchley, a native of Pauline, SC, spent his professional life as a builder. He first started dabbling in art while serving in the Army from 1957 to 1960. He watched a fellow soldier drawing, and watched his style and technique. Eventually Atchley tried his hand at painting, but put his brushes down after returning home from his overseas duty. He went to work for Fiske Carter and Able construction companies before starting his own. He built many corporate buildings and homes in the Upstate.

In retirement, Atchley has picked up paintbrushes to build, on canvas, the images, shapes, and scenes that catch his interest. Primarily self-taught in acrylics and oils, his skills have developed with guidance from Bob Berger and Claire Hopkins through courses offered at The Art School at Chapman Cultural Center. Atchley is married to Joan Atchley. They have spent the majority of their 49 years of marriage in Pauline. They have raised two sons and are experiencing the joys of grandparenthood through their six grandchildren.

“I paint what appeals to me,” Atchley said. “My process is that simple. Each image I paint comes to canvas based on its resonance in my heart and mind from my 74 years as an observer. Those observations come from many sources: my years working in construction where the combination of lines and materials created functional forms; my many road trips across the country and into Canada that have given me an appreciation of the amazing diversity of landscapes; and my love of family that helps me appreciate the intricacies of life reflected in the details of facial features and expression.

“I often start my work by looking at photographs,” Atchley continued. “Fascinated by the expressions captured by Edward Curtis in his photographs of Native Americans, I painted many of those faces. If I see an image I like, I paint it. It’s that simple. I have used images from magazines and books or photos from my travels and painted those scenes. I have also taken images from my mind’s eye – memories from childhood and throughout my lifetime and put them on canvas. All of my work comes from the people, places, and experiences of my life’s eyes.”

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Guild at 864/764-9568 or visit (www.artistsguildofspartanburg.com).

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