March 2011

Skyuka Fine Art in Tryon, NC, Offers Works by Richard Christian Nelson and Richard Oversmith

Skyuka Fine Art in Tryon, NC, is presenting two exhibit in March, including: Richard Christian Nelson-Recent Paintings, on view through Mar. 10, and Richard Oversmith-Recent Paintings, on view from Mar. 11 through Apr. 6, 2011. A reception will be held on Mar. 11, from 5-8pm.

Nelson has built his reputation as ‘Rich’ Nelson. The change to his full name came from the need to be found more easily on the internet. The current show features the many sides of his work; landscape oil paintings of the foothills of the Blue Ridge and paintings from his travels. It will also feature recent still life and figurative work, and of course a few portraits. There are a number of still life paintings featuring early 20th century North Carolina pottery.

Nelson states that he is “endlessly fascinated by people, places, and things and considers it a privilege and a challenge to capture some aspect of their essence on canvas. I work toward ‘painterly realism’; good drawing and composition, rendered with strong natural color, in such a way that you can still ‘sense’ or ‘feel’ the paint. The effect of this process is that the subject begins to artfully reveal itself to me and hopefully, the viewer”. All of this work (except some portraiture) is done exclusively from life.”

Hailing from Detroit, MI, Nelson earned his BFA from the College Of Creative Studies in 1988. It was at CCS that he developed his love of painting, drawing, figurative art, and art history. He has been working as an artist ever since, initially as an illustrator, then as a portrait artist, gallery artist, and instructor. Nelson also teaches workshops focusing on landscape, still life and portraiture as well.

The exhibit, Richard Oversmith- Recent Paintings, includes regional landscapes, still lifes, and figurative work.
Oversmith received formal training in Fine Art and Illustration at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, MI. While at Kendall he was invited to study at the Royal College of Art in London, England. There he gained experience in plein air painting and found direction in his work as an oil painter. He graduated from Kendall College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1995.

Raised in North Carolina, Oversmith has called Asheville, NC, home for the last 14 years. The natural beauty of Western North Carolina has proven to offer infinite inspiration for his impressionistic landscapes. From rolling mountains to abundant waterfalls, the majestic Biltmore Estate to a simple farm scene, this region evokes the artist’s muse.
Oversmith finds inspiration not only at home but in his many travels. He has painted all over the United States and spent six months living and painting in Brittany, France. Whether at home or abroad, he surrounds himself in the elements of the scene while painting, in true “en plein air” fashion. In the studio, Oversmith’s sense of vision and mood guide him to produce still lifes ranging from the classic to the imaginative.

For further info check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call 828/817-3783 or visit (www.skyukafineart.com).

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