ARTHUR BLAIR

Arthur began a career in art while living on California's West Coast in 1991. Over several years he undertook art courses at various colleges with his formal study culminating in a three-year Master's Degree in Fine Art from San Francisco State University in 2002. In parallel, teaching and a steady stream of exhibitions featuring painting, printmaking and conceptual sculpture have all had their place in his development.

With such diverse and often conflicting influences it is hardly surprising that his work embraces various styles and genres. This is most evident where the tenacious pursuit of traditional oil painting contrasts with conceptual sculpture. Away from institutional thinking Arthur feels there should be no conflict where experience and lateral thinking present moments of opportunity.

Whatever the output, what resonates in Arthur's work is his love and respect for materials, their potential and his unashamed quest towards beauty. As a painter the landscape has been the single greatest influence on his work. It is to this that he has presently returned for inspiration. He hopes to inspire the viewers into a sense of participation in his paintings through a strong sense of space, atmosphere and mood, a harmony of nature and painting.

• 1976 - 1979 Founding partner Grey's Gallery, Leyburn, England
• 1991 - 1995 Studied at College of the Redwoods and Mendocino College.
• 1992 Studied at Myron Barnstone Studios, Pennsylvania
• 1996 - 1998 California College of Arts and Crafts, BFA Printing
• 1999 - 2002 San Francisco State University, MFA Printmaking

Selected Exhibitions

• 1993 Mendocino Art Center - Group Show
• 1992/93 College of the Redwoods - One Man Show
• 1994 Scharffenberger Cellars - One Man Show; Mendocino Printmaker - Group Show
• 1995 Wilkes Bashford Gallery Mendocino - One Man Show; Ukiah Daily Journal Gallery - One Man Show; Mendocino County Museum - One Man Show; Malcolm Innes Gallery, Edinburgh
• 1996 Scharffenberger Cellars - One Man Show
• 1997 Hopland Brewery and Blue Bird Cafe - One Man Shows
• 1998 California College of Arts and Crafts - One Man Show; Living with Art Show, Oakland - Group Show; Exhibitor, Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy, London
• 1999 Boonville Berry Farm Gallery - One Man Show
• 2000 Relatives, Fourth British International Print Exhibition - Group show; Pacific Prints 2000 Exhibition
• 2002 SFSU Thesis Exhibition
• 2004 The Melrose Gallery - Group Show
• 2007 Studio One Man Show; Exhibitor, Summer Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh