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March Issue 2005
Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art Gallery in Charleston, SC, Features Works by Craig Nelson
Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art Gallery in
Charleston, SC, is delighted to announce the upcoming exhibit
of new works by talented California realist Craig Nelson. The
show, entitled, Luminosity, will showcase Nelson's extraordinary
capacity for capturing both light and essence in his subjects. The
exhibit will be on view from Mar. 4 through Apr. 2, 2005.
Known as an illustrator and painter, Nelson has devoted his artistic
career to capturing the vibrancy of humanity and the tranquility
of nature. Among Nelson's many artistic trademarks, are his luminous
portrayals of children on serene coastlines, people in the moment
of their ritual morning espresso, and migrant workers tending
California vineyards.
The gallery will also be hosting the Second Annual Craig Nelson Charleston Painting Workshop, from Mar. 5 - 7, 2005. Nelson, the Department Chairman of Fine Arts, Drawing, and Painting at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, will be teaching and working with subjects encompassing architecture, costal landscapes, and Charleston's beautiful gardens and parks. Composition, color, value, style and technique will also be a primary focus during the highly acclaimed workshop. Nelson's Workshop is an invaluable opportunity for artists and students to sharpen their painting techniques and artistic vision.
California born, Nelson, received his BFA with
distinction from the Art Center College in California. After graduation
in 1970, Nelson showed his portfolio around Los Angeles and with
his unique approach to painting, he landed numerous commissions
such as illustrating the album cover for Sammy Davis Jr., Rick
Nelson, Neil Diamond, Natalie Cole, Loretta Lynn and Motorhead.
He also did several movie posters which includes John Wayne's
The Cowboys, Paul Newman's Slap Shot, and Disney's
Homeward Bound. The success from his inspired movie posters
soon led to portrait commissions from actor James Garner, playwright
Neil Simon, and the dental and law schools at UCLA.
In 1974, Nelson went into teaching and eventually moved to Sonoma
County, CA. His artistic focus turned to subjects and memorable
works that had profound impact on him throughout his visits to
art museums in the US and travels abroad in Europe. Nelson began
to see the influence of well-respected American Impressionists
William Merritt Chase, Childe Hassam, William Paxton, John Henry
Twachtman, Edmund Tarbell, and John Singer Sargent. The work
of Swedish figurative master Anders Zorn and Spanish Impressionist
Joaquin Sorolla also powerfully affected the course of his artistic
achievement.
Nelson's formidable landscapes and intuitive portraiture have won him much recognition on the national artistic stage. In addition to his prestigious teaching accomplishments, Nelson is a Signature Member of the California Art Club and the American Society of Portrait Artists. In 1997, he was awarded the Arts for the Parks competition's Grand Teton Natural History Award. His oil paintings are in private collections worldwide, including North America, Europe, and Asia.
For collectors, art enthusiasts, and artists
interested in learning further about Nelson's work and technique,
Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art Gallery offers Nelson's popular
book 60 Minutes to Better Painting and his instructional
video Quick Studies for sale.
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings,
call the gallery at (843/722-3660 or (www.ellarichardson.com).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2004 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© 2004 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.