Dick Barnola, an active member of the Seabrook Island Artist Guild and ten-year island resident, is Artist of the Month for August. His work will be on display in the front hallway of the Lake House during the month of August.
Dick was a late bloomer when it came to anything artsy. Although always having a creative side, most of his creative outlet was in restoring, “upcycling”, old homes downtown. His most recent project was a 170 year old classic brick “Charleston Single” home slightly South of Broad. Just walking through the front door of a derelict old home got his creative juices flowing.
It was about 1995 when a friend suggested that Dick should enroll in a basic drawing class at the Gibbes Art Museum. Doing so was a real breakthrough. The course was based on the book “Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain” by Betty Edwards. Yes, anyone can learn to draw! He was so turned on that he took six other courses at the Gibbes: water color, figure drawing, advanced drawing, composition, acrylic painting and a plein air course. After retiring and moving to Seabrook in 2008, Dick finally had some free time and started painting in oils under the tutelage of Bob LeFevre.
Dick currently splits his time living at his marsh/riverfront home at Seabrook and his 53′ project boat at Ashley Marina downtown. Having been an avid sailor since 1980 and enjoying the privilege of enjoying some of the finest marsh/sunset views anywhere, Dick naturally leans to water as his favorite subject matter.
To learn more about the Artist Guild, events or workshops, and view the work of member artists, visit SeabrookIslandArtistGuild.com.
–Submitted by Betsy Turner, Seabrook Island Artist Guild, Publicity Chairman