CURT BUTLER
Educated at Kent State University and The Savannah College of Art and Design,
Curt Butler received both a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Fine Art. After graduating,
he moved to Gastonia, North Carolina.
Curt considers himself an artist who teaches and shares his knowledge with other
aspiring artists. He has taught at various art schools including Braitman Studio,
Gaston Day School, Gaston College, and Gaston School of the Arts.
He has been asked to conduct guild workshops throughout North Carolina that have
been attended by both art students as well as professional artists. “I enjoy sharing my passion and knowledge with others to create a journey for
someone else.” In 2002, he was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award at Gaston Day School
for his outstanding teaching abilities.
In 2006, he started his own business, Butler Studio, where he works on paintings
for galleries, businesses and private collectors. Curt creates approximately 90
to 120 paintings each year.
Butler’s current work is a mixture of oil paint and encaustic painting techniques.
These techniques have afforded him the opportunity to experiment within the realm
of mixed media. His paintings are often layered with multiple colors combinations
that enhance the surface, creating a tactile effect. The textures are rich with
both brushstroke and palette knife work. His paintings seem to come together at
a distance with his imagery, and yet, work on a purely abstract level as you approach
them.
Most of his work is based in landscape yet it is not rooted in a particular place,
but instead speaks to a general mood or feeling he has experienced from being
surrounded by nature. His larger work envelopes you and is a powerful statement
on any wall. His style is current with contemporary thoughts about the flat abstract
nature of the picture plane versus the illusion of space; and he skillfully balances
both of these ideas into a singular piece. His bold loose strokes seem to melt
off the painting and at times, drip, as if there is something more meaningful
beyond the mere image.
