Curt Butler – Artist
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 and 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 and currently teaches adult oil painting classes at Gaston School of the Arts.
In 2006, he started his own business, Butler Studio, where he works on paintings for galleries, businesses and private collections. Since painting full time, his work has focused primarily on exploring and painting his surroundings including the Appalachian, Piedmont and coastal plains of North Carolina. “While most people are driving into work and notice the sunrise long enough to bring down their sun visor, my job is to stop and observe it. I seek out those places that others have seen but maybe have never observed. In this way, I think of myself as part explorer.” His style seeks to evoke a mood that is rich in bold brush strokes with sharp and soft edges to lead the eye through the composition.
He has received many local art awards including 1st place at Festival in the Park in Charlotte and Honorable and Merit Awards at the Natural View exhibit in Gastonia. His work has been exhibited at Gem of Ashley, Dallas Art Museum, Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Gaston Day Gallery, Morris Street Gallery, Solo Art Gallery and The Design Gallery.