May 2013

Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art in Charleston, SC, Features An Exhibit of Works by the Colemans

Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art in Charleston, SC, will present a new exhibition by Michael Coleman, Morgan Coleman, and Nicholas Coleman, on view from May 3 - 31, 2013. A reception will be held on May 3, from 5-8pm.

The Colemans will join us from Utah for their second feature show with the gallery. This family powerhouse of talented artists paints a range of subjects, including western landscapes, wildlife and hunting scenes, and Native American encampments. The Colemans paint primarily oil on board or gouache. They are experts in their field and seem to have an innate ability to perfect the lights and values in their landscapes, making them better than reality.

Michael Coleman, the father, was born in Provo, UT, in 1946. He attended Brigham Young University and has been painting for almost 40 years. He loves best the dusky-grey, misty, muted tones of fall and early winter and is known for his landscapes of rich colors and detail. He combines realism and atmospheric styles, often with animals depicted in those autumn settings when they are in their prime, and his pieces always suggest a balanced harmony between artist, animal, and nature. Presently Michael is considered to be one of the top western landscape artists in the country and has been featured in countless exhibitions around the country. He specializes in oils, gouache, watercolor, and bronze sculpture.

Michael’s work is in numerous public and private collections – notably those of The White House, Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, the Canadian Embassy, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and the National Museum of Dubai, just to name a few. His two sons Morgan and Nicholas were born and raised in Provo, and eventually followed in his footsteps and became professional artists as well.

Morgan Coleman paints mainly the western landscapes of Utah and Wyoming – the meadows, valleys, streams and forests where he has lived most of his life. He says, “Peacefulness speaks to me,” and he loves the quiet landscapes, untouched by human influence. Initially beginning his studies in biology with intentions to enter the medical field, Morgan’s artistic talents and abilities could not be ignored. With encouragement from his wife, he pursued his career as an artist and has now been painting professionally for more than 10 years. Although he has a slightly looser style than his father, Morgan continues to learn from Michael and still watches how he paints trees, rocks, and clouds, and is always trying to make a better painting.

Brought up in an artistic environment, Nicholas Coleman has been painting and drawing for as long as he can remember. He has traveled extensively through North America, Africa, and Europe and New Zealand. He has found much of his inspiration in his travels, hunting and fishing along the way. Like his father, Nicholas attended Brigham Young University, and has been influenced by the works of Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, the western work of Frank Tenney Johnson and Philip R. Goodwin, and especially his father, Michael Coleman.

Nicholas uses a traditional academic approach in his painting, and his work definitely has a feel of realism as he strives to make each painting better than the next. There is a certain amount of spontaneity and a slight impressionistic feel to his paintings that let the viewer participate in the work. He plans to continue working hard at what he loves; his father told him, “you are only as good as your last painting,” so Nicholas continually strives to improve his abilities. Never one to miss an opportunity, he also wants to improve his etching and sculpting skills.

All of the Colemans have an incredible gift to paint the beauty of North America, with realistic and finite detail.

For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 843/722-3660 or visit (www.ellarichardson.com).

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