Blanche McAlister Harris American Representational Artist

A former art consultant, American artist Blanche McAlister Harris' passion for late 19th century - early 20th century painting only recently evolved into her picking up a paint brush and learning to paint in oils. Once she began, she realized that the God given gift of artistic talent had been there all along. Since that time, she has immersed herself in the study of oil painting through continual classes with nationally renowned artist Andy Braitman, workshops with eminent impressionist painter Connie Winters and is currently studying with one of the country's leading plein air painters, Kevin Macpherson.  When she is not in her studio, she can usually be found painting "en plein air". She draws inspiration for her paintings from her native southern landscape and from her travels, both in the United States and abroad.

Her painting "Green Shutters" was juried into the Oil Painters of America 2010 Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition. In 2008, she was recognized as an Art With Heart Emerging Artist Finalist in North Carolina. Her work continues to receive critical acclaim. In judging her work in a recent art show, the juror stated that he "was able to see a remarkable sensitivity to color and a sensual use of paint".

Blanche is fascinated with the interplay of light and shadow, painting luminous colors that are influenced by the constantly changing light. Luscious, yet organic colors are used to interpret the light of the natural world. Shadows are no longer just dark shapes, but are filled with color. Inevitably, the paint itself becomes the subject of her paintings. Her goal is to capture the atmosphere and essence of each landscape, evoking emotion in the viewer. Through careful composition and brush strokes, viewers are invited into her landscapes.

Education
  
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC: Minor in Art History
St. Mary's College, Raleigh, NC: Undergraduate studies in Art History

Exhibitions

2010       Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition 
                Sophia's Fine Art, Charlotte, NC, "3rd Annual Spring Exhibition" 
                Sophia's Fine Art, Charlotte, NC, "Forest for the Trees"

2009       Sophia's Fine Art, Charlotte, NC, "Artist's Open House"
                Chasen Galleries, Richmond, VA, "Let's Celebrate the Holidays"
                Chasen Galleries, Richmond, VA, "Modern Impressionists,
                Contemporary Artists" 
                The Linville Gallery at Tynecastle, Banner Elk, NC, "From The 
                Mountains to the Sea"
               
2008       Chasen Galleries, Charlotte, NC, "Holiday Open House: Small
                Works"
                Chasen Galleries, Charlotte, NC, "The Best of Chasen"
                Chasen Galleries, Charlotte, NC, "Four Incredible NC Artists"
                Chasen Galleries, Charlotte, NC, "Let's Celebrate Our Surroundings"

Benefit Exhibitions

2010        "A Celebration: Nepal Orphans Home" Benefit Auction, Davidson, NC

2008       "Art with Heart" Benefit Auction, Charlotte, NC
                 "1st Annual Art Spectacular" Benefit Auction, Huntersville, NC

Honors & Awards

2008       Third Place, Lake Norman Art League Juried Show, North Carolina
                Art with Heart Emerging Artist Juried Competition, Finalist, North
                Carolina

Corporate Collections

                Braxton Capital Management, New York, NY

Professional Organizations

               Oil Painters of America

Reviews of Work

In judging the Lake Norman Art League 2008 Juried Show, juror Tom Stanley, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts at Winthrop University, stated that "In Blanche McAlister Harris' 'Valle Crucis Orchard', I was able to see a remarkable sensitivity to color and a sensual use of paint."