Harry Neely will judge Healing Arts Exhibition
The Robeson Art Guild is pleased to announce that Harry Neely has agreed to judge the submissions for the Healing Hands Exhibition!
Harry, a native Carolinian with a family history of musicians and artists, joined the U. S. Army after graduating from NC State University. He describes himself as largely self-taught, continuing his art education under master artists in the United States and Italy. Today he is an elected artist member (EAM) of the American Artist Professional League.
His paintings are in collections in the United States, Hong Kong, Australia, and Europe. He lives in the Pinehurst area, where he paints and teaches full-time.
When asked about his process when judging Harry commented “I always like to know the juror’s thoughts about my work. I will be using a checklist as I judge the submissions for Healing Arts.” I’m sure all our artists will appreciate his insights!
Artist Statement
Each of us can remember a time when something lighted our vision and changed our aspirations. For me it was a visit to a museum where I saw Allan Ramsay’s 1762 portrait of Queen Charlotte. “How could anyone paint like that?” I had to find out. Ramsay’s portrait was certainly nothing like the art of the day! That year I began studying with a Paris trained artist and I have never stopped that journey.
I use the language of paint to catch the delights of daily life like the warmth of a summer day, the memories of a familiar face or the pride of a harvest. Each painting has a story and most have a connection to the land or to the heritage of the South.
Craftsmanship also is part of all good art. I prepare all my canvases and panels and stretch some. I blend the mediums I use to get the quality I want. I use the best paints I can find from world- wide sources. I honor the age old traditions of design that began in the eons before the Greeks.
While I’d love for my paintings to last as long as Ramsay’s, and some will, my real goal is to create a treasure for you.
Harry Neely
Harry’s paintings can be found at the Exchange Street Gallery in Aberdeen, NC, the Design Mart, Aberdeen, NC the Campbell House Gallery in Southern Pines, NC, and periodically at other galleries and museums. For a current list of current galleries visit his website at Harry Neely Fine Art (hlneely.com).
