March 5th Open Studio with VAPA Grand Opening!

Thanks to Everyone! - Fall Open Studio

 The Open House was great fun. A big thanks to everyone who stopped by. I sold quite a few paintings and drawings. I will post what is still available after Thanksgiving. It was fun to chat with so many folks about art. Maura even had some of her new pillows on display. 

The drawing above is from the Mountain to Sea Trail in North Carolina. You can see the trail blaze, a white circle, on the leftmost tree. It is still available. It is a graphite drawing 8 x 11, framed, $390 plus shipping. 

Fall Open Studio - Next Weekend!

Join me for my Fall Open Studio on Saturday November 13th (12 to 5) and Sunday 14th (12 to 4). I will have many, many drawings and paintings on display and for sale. My studio is in the McColl Center on the 3rd floor. Address: 721 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Park on Tryon Street or behind Charlotte Ballet.

See you there!

Climate Conversation drawings. 

Cityscape paintings. Above South End at Flower Child.

Cityscape paintings. Above South End Hawkers. 

North Carolina trail drawings. Waynesville, NC

North Carolina color pencil drawings. Blue Ridge Parkway field, also on the Mountain to Sea Trail. 

North Carolina color pencil drawings. Wedding Tree, Laurel Springs, NC. 

North Carolina paintings.  Blue Ridge Parkway field, also on the Mountain to Sea Trail. 

   

Climate Conversation Exhibit

The 1st of many Climate Conversation Exhibits. The McColl Center Take-Over show allowed me to test out a few parts of the concept. This included drawings, 3D public interaction, fiber and process sketches. Eventually I would like this to be a group exhibit with other artist interested in climate issues. 

Large fiber pieces. 

Public interaction about how climate effected folks or their favorite memory of a tree in their life. 

 

Preview of Studio Artist Take-Over Exhibit Thursday September 30 from 6 to 8 PM

Studio Artist Take-Over preview video! Join me for a Studio Artist Take-Over Exhibit Thursday September 30 from 6 to 8 PM at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation! 

Drawing Demo using simple texture you can find from Home!

 Drawing Demo using simple texture you can find from Home! 

Studio Tour

Go on a tour of my studio and see my latest Tree Series drawings. 

Experimenting with Paper

This is an experiment in paper with one of my tree series drawings. Usually I use sketch paper, but this is printing paper which is much thicker than sketch paper. Because of the thickness the initial step of rubbing texture from the tree is more subtle than my past drawings. This drawing is coming out with less dark values, interesting. We will see what happens. 

Tour of my studio at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation

 

Studio at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation

My studio at the MCcoll Center is just awesome. It is in te re-purposed church in uptown Charlotte. Great space. My studio is on the 3rd floor. 

 

Tree Series: Drawing 14 Complete!

Here is Tree Series Drawing 14! While I was at Penland School of Arts & Craft in the NC Mountains this summer I began expanding and experimenting with my Tree Series. For this drawing I choose to use a very textured and lightly colored paper. All previous drawings in this seresin had been on white, 18 x 24 sketch paper. 

I took the paper into the woods near Spruce Pine NC and rubbed it onto a tree in several places. Then I went back to my studio and enhanced the natural texture. I decided to show the most detail in the middle of the tree trunk and allow the details to fade toward the edges. 

Big Announcement - Studio moving to McColl Center for Art + Innovation!

Beginning this summer Bosbyshell Art Studio is moving to the McColl Center for Art + Innovation. I am excited beyond words! I will be with eight other artists on the 3rd floor of the McColl Center. More information to come about when you can come to visit me! 

The images in this post are the ones I used in the studio juried process. 

 

McColl Center Benefit Silent Auction Begins TODAY!

The McColl Center’s Benefit Art Sale is THIS Thursday! The Silent Auction begins Tuesday October 27th. Your ticket to the sale + auction on October 29 supports artists like me. Get $20 off with my code ARTIST20 now! McCollcenter.org/benefit-art-sale-2020

@mccollcenter  #mccollcenter

 

McColl Center’s Benefit Art Sale is THIS Thursday!

The McColl Center’s Benefit Art Sale is THIS Thursday! Your ticket to the sale + auction on October 29 supports artists like me. Get $20 off with my code ARTIST20 now! One of my Tree Series of drawings is part of the silent auction.

mccollcenter.org/benefit-art-sale-2020

@mccollcenter

#mccollcenter

Drawing 9 from my Tree Series is part of McColl Center for Visual Art Benefit Sale

One of my Tree Series of drawings is in McColl Center’s Benefit Art Sale! Your ticket to the sale + auction on October 29 supports artists like me. Get $20 off with my code ARTIST20 now! If you have never been to the McColl Center is is just wonderful!

mccollcenter.org/benefit-art-sale-2020
@mccollcenter
#mccollcenter

The Charlotte Business Journal talks to Wil Bosbyshell

The Charlotte Business Journal talks to Wil Bosbyshell 

Tell us about Komen Fireworks? 

My architectural work focuses on the interaction between architectural silhouettes and the surrounding sky (or fireworks). I seek deep shadows at night, and then transform architectural detail into massive shapes against the shadows and light. I like to achieve unique perspectives from common, but overlooked vantage points.  

Where are you from? What brought you to Charlotte? (or if from Charlotte, what has kept you here?)

I was born in Florida, but spent my first and many subsequent summers in Banner Elk. Being a kid from Florida, you head to North Carolina for the cool air so you can wear a jacket and socks. After spending my summers in NC at camps like Camp Kanuga and Camp Cheerio, I finally moved here in 1992. 

What is your opinion of the Charlotte art scene?

It’s picking up at a steady rate; I wish it were faster! The range of art expression in venues, events and exhibitions like The Charlotte Art League, C3, Goodyear Arts, Elder Gallery, the McColl Center and The Mint is very exciting. I’ve been part of the Charlotte art scene for decades, and I can say that right now, Charlotte has many talented artist’s with a lot to say! 

What is your favorite or most inspirational place in the Charlotte area?

I like nature and being outside, so the US National White Water Center is awesome fun. Camp North End is a great combination of art, music and food and interesting architecture as well. The Mint’s awesome exhibitions of local artists recently have been a great edition to more it’s more national shows. I love the Mint’s 4th floor! 

What inspires you? What inspired this piece/idea?

I am inspired by what I observe and experience in real life. That can include the texture of bark on a tree or the dramatic light and color of fireworks or a camp fire. Reality is beautiful and fascinating.  

How did you start making art?/Why do you make art?

I was drawing before I can remember; I can’t stop myself from drawing and painting. I failed 2nd grade because I was drawing instead of paying attention. My life works better if I can get to my studio and draw! 

Who are your biggest influences?

Andrew Wyeth is so amazing as an artist; his watercolors are full of life and spontaneity. Locally, Andy Braitman and Harris Holt really influenced me as an artist. 

How have you developed your career?

Teaching art makes me a better artist. Being around other artists at the Charlotte Art League keeps me on my toes! 

How do you seek out opportunities?

I try to be open and listen to what is going on and to that voice in my head saying, “create”. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Lead an ordinary life and make extraordinary art!” Cornel Rubino said that to me in a class I took with him. 

What is the biggest challenge you face professionally?

To stay focused on the art and make the time to get to my studio. 

What is your dream project?

I am looking to leverage the Tree Series in partnership with an organization to help bring awareness and change in behavior with regard to climate issues. Potential partners can reach me at mbosbyshell@aol.com. 

Most people like and are familiar with trees, especially in Charlotte the “Tree City”. My Tree Series could be an entry point in the discussion about the complex issue of climate change. My Tree Series seeks to personalize trees to engage the viewer. I want my tree drawings, and the viewer’s understanding of how they relate to world climate events, to be universally accessible. The Series brings trees into our daily conversation so we can talk about climate change in a way that is personal to us. 

McColl Center for the Arts Member Exhibition

One of my Weight Series of drawings is in the 2019 McColl Member show. Above is the fire painting I had displayed during the 2016 member show. The Show runs through January 2020.