Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Arthur Price - A Talented Artist, New Friend



Last week I had the privilege of attending the opening reception for Birmingham artist Arthur Price's newest collection. It's hard to describe the feeling I had as I walked in and saw his magnificent canvases that hung from ceiling to floor. They took my breath away. Many had a mystical, almost medieval feel, while others reflected Art's homage to his father, a holistic veterinarian, and his love of horses. In another space, he went in a different direction with a magical undersea series. This is no cookie cutter artist. His work is as diverse as it is beautiful. I found myself saying over and over, "Now THIS is my favorite" as I moved from one to the next. My daughter and I agreed that we had most definitely been transported from Birmingham to some special place in Europe that evening.

I returned another day to photograph Art with his work. What a kind and humble man he is. It was a rare treat for me to hear him talk about his pieces and where he found his inspiration. I might also add that he's extremely patient as he endured not one but two photo sessions with me! Today, I include a few of his paintings. My photographs cannot begin to do justice to his marvelous work. Please take the time to visit his website.

Thank you Art and Caren for being so gracious!


21 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

Wow, these look really wunderful.
Did you find out if he's single?

Olivier said...

un beau portrait qui va bien avec les creations de l'artiste

B SQUARED said...

I completely agree with you. Transported in time as well as place.

brattcat said...

Thank you for introducing us to the man and his work.

debbie in toronto said...

your photos are beautiful....sorry about the gold medal...but ya gotta do what ya gotta do...:)

Daryl said...

He has such range .. so much emotion .. thank you and thank him for sharing!

Thérèse said...

Arthur Price must spend day and night in his studio except when he is the subject of an exhibit.

Louis la Vache said...

WOW! «Louis» would like to see these paintings in person!

Anonymous said...

So would Karin. Just lovely and fantastical.

Kim said...

Thank you for the link to his work, and for featuring several of his works. That triptych is amazing, and all the pieces make me want to come up close more. Your portrait is perfecto! In fact, I think you could really start a new meme with your portraits called "cute and photogenic artists Tuesdays" and we would have an instant fan club (note your first commenter of the day is inquiring of your subject's marital status :-) ).

That is a great, intimate portrait, and you can tell you put the guy at ease even with a camera pointing his way. You nailed the interior/exterior lighting and the soft bock and white with the texture/pattern of the bricks is so gorgeous it makes me sigh. . . Kudos Ms. V!

My niece is a licensed massage therapist and specializes in equine massage, so works with vets like your subjects dad. Arther's paintings would draw her right in, too.
-Kim

Perle said...

Was there, too. He is an amazing artist and an all 'round nice guy.
Perle

alaine@éclectique said...

Wow, I feel as though I've just been through a time warp. I've just looked at the four galleries and found it all so amazing; beautiful, romantic work. He must be a reincarnation of Da Vinci or Michelangelo! Thanks for the intro, Virginia.

Bob Crowe said...

I'm glad you introduced us to this considerable talent. I looked at his website and I am impressed. There is so much going on, so many artistic roots. I see Art Deco, Impressionism, turn of the (last) century English and German mysticism, Goya, William Blake and I don't know what else. I'd love to see his work in person.

Virginia said...

Thank you everyone for you wonderful comments about Art's work. He truly has a very special talent that needs exposure here and abroad. I"m hoping this will maybe open a door somewhere for him, that hasn't been opened before. Art and Caren read my blog, and I know they will be so pleased to read what you have said here today. Thank you.

Bob,
I'd love to introduce you to Art and his wife. What very special people they are. Come on down and bring Carolyn with you.
V

alaine@éclectique said...

Virginia, I loved his work so much; I've put a link to his site on my sidebar. Thank you for sharing and I'll do the same.

Virginia said...

Alaine,
That means a lot to me and I'm sure to Art as well!!!

Anonymous said...

Do you remember that I met him YEARS ago? He was good friends with a family I worked with that owned the old restaurant "Elaine's Cafe". Elaine had his work all throughout the place. I will never forget sitting over a glass of red wine watching the light wash over an enormous tapestry of Billie Holliday. As the light changed, so did the art. I also LOVE his paintings of his "angels" aka, his wife! I once told him My DREAM art piece would be a wedding portrated painted by him, or a painting of my girls!!!! He is a one in a million with a soul that just emits peace when you talk with him! Kathleen

Virginia said...

Kat,
I thought I remembered that!

Nathalie H.D. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nathalie H.D. said...

Now that's a bloody good portrait Virginia.

The treatment works well but not only that. Art really comes across as a warm and spirited person here and the textured wall, vertical window lines and side light all combine to create a powerful image. Well done!

I really like Art's works too.

Victor said...

I like this portrait a lot. You got everything just right. Bravo!