Artist Tim Tyler (on right) has an art exhibit at the NCA Gallery located at Indian Hills Country Club in Fairfield Bay. He stands next to one of his life-like oil paintings "Canning Pears". On the left is Connie Hood, President of North Central Arkansas Artist League, which sponsored an artist reception and a two-day oil painting workshop Sept. 7 and 8.
On the second day of the workshop, Artist Tim Tyler demonstrated painting from model Justin Griffith of Clinton. On the first day, he demonstrated painting a still life; that painting can be seen on the right of the photo. (photo by Joyce Hartmann)
“Are you sure that’s paint, and not real wood?” the woman said to her companion, wanting to touch it, but knowing she shouldn’t. They both had their noses within 6” of the trompe l’oiel painting.
“The goblet looks so real that you feel like you could reach in and take it off the shelf,” she said.
Another viewer exclaimed, “Look at the skin tones on this girl! She looks like she could just step out of that painting.”
The paintings were by Tim Tyler, nationally known artist from Fayetteville who was visiting Fairfield Bay to present an oil-painting workshop. Tyler exhibits in galleries and museums in Scottsdale, Taos, Santa Fe, Dallas, New York, and more; he will soon exhibit at the Gilcrease Museum in Oklahoma. A member of many national juried professional associations such as the Oil Painters of America, Portrait Painters of America, etc., his work has appeared on covers of Artist Magazine and other nationally distributed publications. The public can view some of his work at the North Central Arkansas Art Gallery located at Indian Hills Country Club in Fairfield Bay. The gallery is open during regular business hours through October 17th.
A gala reception for the artist was held in the Fireside Room of the Country Club Tuesday evening, Sept. 6th, attended by area artists, art appreciators, Community Club Board members, and other invited guests. Hosted by the North Central Arkansas Artist League, the reception included a gallery walk and talk, where the witty artist told interesting stories about his paintings.
The two-day oil painting workshop was held Sept. 7th and 8th at Bayside Art Studio and Gallery, located at the intersection of Highway 330 and Greenwood in Old Town Fairfield Bay. The first day Tyler demonstrated still life painting techniques. Fifteen area artists set up fruits, vegetables and vases and applied those techniques. To improve skills, Tyler advises artists to spend at least 50% of their time painting from real objects rather than photos.
“Stare at the subject, and glance at your painting,” he said. He showed the artists how to achieve realistic representations and also to paint “with gusto”, using broad courageous strokes of color.Artists painted until 4:00 p.m., taking a potluck lunch break featuring smoked Alaskan salmon caught and prepared by artist Dr. Mark Davis, who also hosted Tyler at his home during his stay.The next morning, the artists watched further demonstrations, completed their still life paintings, and walked across the street to eat lunch at Stringbeanz Restaurant.
The group expressed interest in learning about painting skin tones. A willing young model, Justin Griffith, was located at the Fairfield Bay Marina. With the skill of a surgeon, Tyler’s deft hands and flashing brown eyes created Griffith’s likeness, using only lumps of paint applied to the blank linen canvas.It was a great privilege for local artists to learn techniques from Tyler.
Look for more and better paintings in local exhibits as a result of such workshops sponsored by the North Central Arkansas Artist League.For more information about the League or to join, contact NCAAL President Connie Hood at 884-3283.
For information about NCA Art Gallery hours, contact NCA Foundation for the Arts and Education Gallery Coordinator Kathleen Hadley at 884-7575. To learn more about the artist or to view Tyler’s work online, visit his website at www.tctyler.com .
