South Park Splendor by Greg Barnes
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By Tina Auten, Staff Writer
Known forbrhis extraordinary use of natural light in landscapes, North Carolina pastelbrartist Greg Barnes has been selected as the Featured Artist of the Year forbrthis year’s annual Art in the Square presented by Southlake Women’s Club. A fewbrof his pieces will be featured at an upcoming kick-off event in Southlake TownbrSquare on February 17 that is open to the public.
Receivingbrhis formal training at Wake Forest University, Barnes earned a BFA in 1985brafter studying painting, printmaking, sculpture, and figure drawing. His career path after college includedbrtechnical illustration, computer graphics, computer-based training, andbrmultimedia programming. During thosebryears, Barnes kept his brushes and charcoal close at hand.
Followingbr9-11, Barnes and his wife took a leap of faith when he decided to embark on abrfull time fine art career. He quicklybrfound portrait work, which eventually led him to pastels. A few weeklong plein-air workshops set him onbrhis current course.
Landscapesbrare his love and Barnes enjoys painting on location. As a result of working quickly, he leansbrtowards impressionism. A mix ofbrrealistic and impressionistic elements give his pieces a life of their own,brwhile a free and creative use of color punctuates his style. Barnes currently splits his time betweenbrpainting in his studio/gallery in Charlotte, NC, selling at national art showsbraround the country, and teaching.
The 14th annual Art in the Square opens Friday, April 26 in Southlake TownbrSquare.