A reception Friday evening, May 4, at the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton, Ga., will open a new exhibit in Jonas Hall, "Blue Collar on Vermillion & Viridian." The reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the guild, 520 W. Waugh St. in Dalton.
"Blue Collar on Vermillion & Viridian" is a collection of work by self-taught artist Will Locke. His paintings draw viewers with their unique use of color and abstract imagery.
Locke has lived in Ringgold, Ga., most of his 32 years. Graduating from Ringgold High School in 2004, he worked what he calls "blue-collar jobs" while earning an associate's degree from Dalton State College, returning in his late 20s to complete a bachelor's degree in history.
A childhood interest in artistic expression was bolstered by public school art classes, but the desire to put oil to canvas was really motivated by a 2012 voluntary working tour of Israel, which left him with "more thoughts than words could express."
He explains, "Painting has become more than an obsession. Starting out as something like escapism or even stress relief, the 'hobby' is now a consuming lifestyle." He says he works at a day job only part-time so that he has time to learn, develop and experiment with his artistic medium of oil on canvas.
Continuing in Gallery Five20 at the CAG is "While it Lasts," work by Sarah Moore. In Gallery One 11 is "The Printed Walk," work by Lindsay Schmittle.
The opening reception is free and light refreshments will be served.
For more information: creativeartsguild.org.