| For more information about this article or gallery, please call the gallery phone number listed in the last line of the article, "For more info..." |
December Issue
2009
Sunset River
Marketplace in Calabash, NC, Features Works by Tony Craig
Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash, NC, is presenting the exhibit, Stepping Back In Time, featuring nostalgic paintings of another time by Stokes County artist Tony Craig, on view through Jan. 9, 2010. Working tightly in watercolor, Craig has captured moments in time at corner stores and country gas stations that are quickly disappearing from our landscape.
"Several artists from NC inspire me," says Craig, "but the biggest influence on me was the discovery of photorealist painting in the early 90s. Some artists don't like the word 'nostalgic' to be associated with their art, but I find it to be a very appropriate word for my artwork. As the photorealists in the early 1970s captured moments in time, my goal is to present the Southern landscape as I see it. Most of the scenes I've painted are no longer around, further emphasizing the importance of the images, not only as works of art, but historic records of a South we once knew."
"As far as technique goes, watercolor is a very unforgiving medium," adds Craig. "The ability to capture something as realistically as possible in watercolor presents a great challenge to me, and one that I am continually striving to improve upon. Even though they look like photographs, a closer inspection will reveal that they are painted. It's taken ten years of experimenting and learning from mistakes to reach this point, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the future brings."
Craig travels Southern roads until he discovers a suitable subject matter. Then he photographs it from many angles and takes the photos back to his studio, where he chooses the elements that will make up his final composition. Then he puts the image to paper and begins building up layers of watercolor until the painting is completed to his satisfaction.
Over the past several years, Craig has used his photography as another means to present his viewpoint of the rural South. In 2008, he published his first book of photography, Country Stores in North Carolina, which includes many vintage storefront and product images.
Craig studied art at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, and at the Calif. Institute of the Arts. He worked over 20 years in the animation industry on many high profile productions, including Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs for Warner Brothers and serving as executive producer/director on The Lion King's Timon and Pumbaa, 101 Dalmatians (TV series), House of Mouse, Lilo and Stitch (TV series), two video sequels to Lilo and Stitch, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, before turning his attention to his own artwork full time.
Although the show at Sunset River Markeplace consists of Craig's watercolor paintings, the gallery also has the artist's photography prints and copies of his book available.
Antique sideboards, library tables and other pieces from Cape Fear Antiques in Wilmington, NC, are also on display at Sunset River, adding to the evocative ambience of the art exhibition.
For further information
check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at
910/575-5999 or visit (www.myspace.com/sunsetrivermarketplace).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2009 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2009 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.