On Saturday we popped over to the Shain Gallery to see Curt Butler’s latest show that opened on the previous evening. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the past few days, which made it perfect for heading towards to the Myer’s Park neighborhood of Charlotte, where the Shain Gallery is located.
One thing that stood out to us from the moment we walked into the gallery was the color palette that Butler used for his pieces throughout the show. We loved the warm golden shades, and the pops of blues and purples that were featured in several of our favorite pieces.
For those of you who are not familiar with Butler’s work, he paints with oils and layers with encaustic (aka wax). One of the interesting things to notice when viewing Butler’s work is when you stand back and look at the painting, you can clearly see the featured subject in the painting whether it’s a boat, bird, or figure. However up close you’ll be struck with the colors and the brush strokes while the thoughts of what is featured in the piece ‘fades’ into the background of your mind’s eye.
Zen Vagrant
“I enjoy the play of carving back into the wax with a palette knife to create different textures. Heating up the wax allows me to fuse layers of paint to create a surface that is varied and complex. Each layer must be carefully fused to the next to ensure there is no cracking. Stand oil is routinely applied to the wax to give it a little flexibility and makes it possible to work on a canvas surface rather than board. I sometimes put the wax and pigment on cold and melt it with a heat gun, and at other times, I start with a hot wax directly on the canvas. I have found these techniques feel very sculptural in nature. At times, I am building up the surface and at other times, I am subtracting or carving into the surface of the paint. Encaustic painting with oil has given me the emotional response that I am currently seeking in my work. To be able to suggest a subject rather than illustrate it, to literally feel the surface of the paint and to be able to engage the viewer from a distance, and yet retain them when they are close are all reasons I choose to work the way I do.” – Curt Butler
Grey Ballad of Marsh
Snapshot of Pillowed Expectations
Three Wishes
Event Horizon
If you’re interested in any of the pieces featured in this post, head over to the Shain Galleries website here, or call the gallery to inquire about the availability.
About the Artist:
Curt received both a B.A from Kent State University and a M.F.A from Savannah College of Art and Design. He has taught at various institutions including Braitman Studio, Gaston Day School, Gaston College and Gaston School of the Arts. In 2004, he was recognized and honored with Teacher of the Year award at Gaston Day School. He has also hosted a number of guild workshops throughout the South East for art students as well as professional artists. He considers himself an artist who teaches and enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others to create a journey for someone else.
His own journey has lead him to start his own business called Butler Studio, where he creates between 90 to 120 paintings a year for galleries, corporations and private collections. In 2009, Butler Studio opened a gallery/studio in downtown Gastonia where he currently teaches small classes and paints full time.
His interest in impasto and scumbling techniques is evident in his currently medium of oil and encaustic. The word encaustic literally means to “burn in” and involves a heating tool of some kind with the addition of colored pigments or oil paints mixed into the wax. – Curt Butler
Coming to the Shain Gallery
The Shain Gallery will be featuring a new art show every two weeks through the end of the year with the next show featuring artists Gary Bodner, Casey Matthews, Craig Mooney (opening on 9/7) and a show featuring the galleries first photographer, Catherine Erb (opening on 9/21).
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