Richard Christian Nelson
| Richard Christian Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Detroit, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | College for Creative Studies, Wayne State University |
| Known for | Painting |
Richard Christian Nelson (Rich Nelson) is a portrait and gallery artist from Tryon, North Carolina. He has won numerous national awards and honors, and created over 1000 commissioned oil and charcoal portraits. He is also known for landscape and still life painting. Nelson owns the Skyuka Fine Art gallery in Tryon, North Carolina and maintains a studio in Asheville's River Arts District.
Background
Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1961, Nelson earned his BFA at Detroit's College for Creative Studies in 1988. He is recognized nationally for his portrait work, and is an established landscape artist and instructor. He has served on the faculty of the Portrait Society Of America, is an active member of PAPSE (Plein Air Painters of the South East) and the Oil Painters Of America. A part of the Detroit music scene in the 1980s, Nelson is also an accomplished rock musician. He was a member of notable Detroit bands Bitter Sweet Alley (BSA) and The Purple Gang. He is currently a member of the North Carolina band 176.
Life and work
The Portrait Society of America has recognized Nelson's portrait work with fourteen prestigious awards. Among his notable commissions are portraits of former General Motors Chairmen John F. Smith, Jr. and Edward Whitacre, Jr., noted heart surgeon Randolph Chitwood, Congressional Medal Of Honor recipient Bryant H. Womack, and distinguished Federal Judge Malcolm Jones Howard.
Awards
- 2014- Certificate Of Excellence - Portrait Society Of America's 2014 International Portrait Competition
- 2013- Finalist - Portrait Society Of America's 2013 International Portrait Competition
- 2012- Certificate Of Excellence - Portrait Society Of America's 2012 International Portrait Competition
- 2012- 1st Place- Commissioned Portraits- Portrait Society Of America’s Member's Only Competition
- 2010- Finalist- Portrait/Figure Category of The Artist's Magazine 27th Annual Art Competition
- 2009- 1st Place- Oil and Honorable Mention-Drawing- Portrait Society Of America’s 'Choose Your Medium' Portrait Competition
- 2008 - 2nd Place- Portrait Society Of America’s ‘Outdoor’ Portrait Competition
- 2007 - Semifinalist In American Artist Magazine’s 70th Anniversary Competition
- 2007 - Honorable Mention - Portrait Society Of America’s Children’s Portrait Competition
- 2006 - Honorable Mention - Portrait Society Of America’s Self - Portrait Competition
- 2006 - 2nd Place and People’s Choice - Portrait Society Of America’s Tri - State Competition
- 2005 - Certificate Of Merit - Portrait Society Of America’s Annual Portrait Competition
- 2004 - Best Portfolio - Portrait Society Of America’s Annual Conference
- 2003 - Best Portfolio - Portrait Society Of America’s Annual Conference
- 2002 - Certificate of Merit - Portrait Society Of America’s Annual Portrait Competition
- 2001 - Certificate of Merit - Portrait Society Of America’s Annual Portrait Competition
References
http://www.portraitsociety.org/#!__members-only-competition/albumphotos1=24
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