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November Issue
2009
Artists' Guild
of Spartanburg in Spartanburg, SC, Features Works by Christopher
Marion Crowley
The Artists' Guild of
Spartanburg in Spartanburg, SC, will present the exhibit, Memories,
featuring works by Christopher Marion Crowley, on view in the
Guild Gallery at the Chapman Cultural Center from Nov. 1 - 29,
2009.
The exhibit of works of oil on canvas and board include Dove
Fields at Stone Station, Peaches, Irises, and The Dove
Shooter, all reflecting the artist's memories of the scenes
around him.
Crowley doesn't remember a time when art was not a part of his life. In fact, he prides himself on being a part of a family of artists. His grandfather, mother, an uncle and his siblings were all artists. But it wasn't until the Spartanburg Day School graduate retired from a career in textiles in 2000 that he was able to pursue painting more seriously.
Crowley had always loved to draw and had longed for time to paint, but raising a family and working left little time for his avocation. Though he had studied paintings in museums to see what he could discover about the process and learned even more by watching his brother Jerry, a well known portraitist, as he worked, it wasn't until he had time to take classes that he began to consider painting more than a hobby.
Studying the use of art materials with Jane Nodine and color theory with Linda McCane helped Crowley increase his skills and develop his own style. Once he began painting seriously after his retirement, he says he was able to begin "capturing memories of places that communicate good feelings."
The artist will be donating proceeds from the sale of pieces in the exhibit to St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic. The non-profit clinic in downtown Spartanburg provides comprehensive health services to Spartanburg County residents who lack access to medical care.
By sharing his memories and the proceeds from the show, Crowley hopes to also share with others the joy he derives from the creative process. "I have always loved to look at paintings, and I paint solely because I enjoy it so much," the artist says, admitting that he is still amazed when others like his art. "The feeling I get when I'm painting is one of total absorption, much like reading a great book. Hours and sometimes even days utterly disappear when I'm painting. I just love it."
For further information
check our SC Institutional Gallery listings or call Laura Pinkley
864/764-9568.
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