The Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville will use its cafeteria to host a two-day show featuring the work of local painter Richard Baker.
Featuring over 200 works from Baker, the exhibition will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 8-9. In addition, there will be a reception from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.
Baker, who has sold paintings to patrons across the country, has lived in the region for a decade and a half, during which he has dedicated most of his time to painting its mountainous and pastoral landscapes.
Much of his work is plein air, meaning “painted outside.” Baker said this allows him to capture the true nature of a scene in a way that’s impossible when not taking it in with one’s own eyes.
“The color is right in front of you, right there,” Baker said. “You can’t lie about it, but it’s very complicated, because the light changes every three minutes. You’ve got to put it down as quick as you can and hope that you’ve got it within 30 minutes. You’re hoping to capture that mood.”
The showcase and reception are free and open to the public.
Check out the Aug. 13 edition of The Smoky Mountain News for a full feature on Baker.