April's Featured Artist is Nanette Perry, a transplanted Alabaman and consummate oil painter, who has found new challenges to her artistic skills in the mountains of West Virginia. She now leads a group of plein air painters who trek to various sites around Charleston for intensive paint-ins. Nan is also the current leader of our 15-member cooperative Gallery Eleven. In addition, her work with canvas and paint is a daily activity, starting early in the morning. A prolific, award-winning artist, Nan brings fresh energy to traditional techniques with no art education guidance.

“I chase the sublime loveliness in the ordinary where ever I go” says Nanette Perry. Born in Alabama, Nan claims that the dramatic views of West Virginia’s rugged mountains have forced her to explore new realms of artistic development. A prolific plein air oil painter, Nan captures the distinct play of light and shade in every painting she does. Even her intriguing interiors--a chair or a sofa corner--are invitations to share the particular charm she conveys with her precise and empathetic brushwork.

Here in West Virginia, Nan has also started a local plein air painters group. They meet monthly at various places in the Kanawha Valley with portable easels in tow and ready to paint all day. Several times a year, Nan travels out of the country on extended painting trips, Some of her paintings of Ireland and Toronto, Canada last year are still available for sale at Gallery Eleven. 

Nan’s Spring’s Debut collection of works in April’s Featured Artists exhibit includes a quartet of tiny 4 x 4 flower paintings on gallery-wrapped canvas. These will be drawing prizes at her Gallery Eleven reception on Saturday, April 26 from 2-5 PM. Be sure to come to the gallery that day for a chance at these small paintings we like to call house jewelry. They'll brighten those little spaces in your home. While you are there, you can enjoy work of other artists in the gallery, the buffet of snacks and beverages, as well as an interesting chat with Nan and other artists.