Grovewood Gallery in Asheville presents Life Along the Blue Ridge, featuring landscape oil paintings by Bryan Koontz, on view now through April 5.
Koontz is an Asheville native who can date his ancestry in Western North Carolina back to the late 1700s. His deep appreciation for mountain culture, heritage, and scenery is evident in his work, which he paints in a realistic style similar to that of the mid-to-late 19th century American landscape painters. Most of his work is begun en plein air and finished in the studio, using photos to aid his memory. Employing traditional methods and archival materials, Koontz says “his aim is to produce works of art that will endure and be cherished for many generations.”
In Life Along the Blue Ridge, Koontz puts to canvas some of his favorite places. “Places flavored by memory, where I have explored, traversed, raised my family, and lived my life since a youth,” he says. His hope is that he can preserve a touch of the heritage he loves through his art.
Koontz first picked up a paintbrush when he was about 8, under the guidance of his grandmother who influenced his love of painting. He went on to feed his creative spirit at Appalachian State University, where he earned a degree in commercial design. After years working in the print and graphic design industry, Koontz became a freelance artist in 2008. Notable projects have included pen and ink drawings for the Mast General Store, as well as their annual Christmas card paintings, and book illustration for author Nadia Dean. In 2018, he was chosen to create the artwork for the Biltmore Estate’s Christmas wine labels.
Established in 1992, Grovewood Gallery is nationally recognized for its dedication to American art and studio craft. Located in historic Grovewood Village in Asheville, NC, the gallery is noted for its charming, old-world setting and rich craft heritage. This site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, an Arts and Crafts enterprise that played a significant role in the Appalachian Craft Revival during the early 20th century. Today, Grovewood Gallery offers two expansive floors of finely crafted furniture, ceramics, jewelry and more, contributed by over 400 artists and craftspeople from across the United States.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 am – 5:30 pm, and Sunday from 11 am – 5 pm. Free parking is available on site. For more information, visit www.grovewood.com.