Where to Go for a good "Cuppa", great Art & {a British fix}!
Thomas Deans Fine Art located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. Photo by: TW Meyer
Author: ArtsyChowRoamer
A Chat with Thomas Deans
AN ATLANTA FINE ART GALLERY
Whenever I’m needing a “cuppa” tea with a friend, some great art and all things British, I head over to Thomas Deans Fine Art gallery in Atlanta, GA. I have known Thomas for years from a previous life in art and I marvel that after the hellish years of the bad economy he is not only still here but thriving. The talk should catch you up on what to expect in the coming days.
We settled into his office which is by accident a copy of any shabby chic library you would find around the backstreets of London. Behind him rises row after row of books in his collection; most necessary for the art valuation work for which he is well known.
“What are we talking about today?” he honestly wanted to know. I responded that since I was missing all things Brit and there were no royal nuptials on the horizon, (yes, I watch them) I wanted us Anglophiles to chat about who and what he had on his horizons.
The lovely art at Thomas Deans Fine Art…Photo by: TW Meyer
AN UPCOMING EXHIBITION
Celebrating 35 years in business, Thomas began his adventure in 1983. He opened with a partner in a basement flat in South London that was eventually christened The Gallery Downstairs.
We both have at least one British friend in common who happened to be out of the country or she would have been sitting with us enjoying her tea as well (I secretly believe people will think I am more posh if I have a British friend).
Thomas began telling me about his planned exhibition for September. A nice mix of his international artists, (read British here) Christopher LeBrun and David Brayne, along with New York artist Laura Fayer and the South’s own, Carlton Nell.
The art of Christopher LeBrun, #25 in the series Doubles, Oil painting on paper
The show will be entitled Odyssey; a 35 Year Journey and will open on September 7th. Thomas is delighted with the new paper pieces from Christopher and has already seen some of the small works that David Brayne will be sending. Carlton, normally working in small scale, has created large paintings on panel which will hang in the recently expanded space that created the new back gallery (highlighted on the Pinterest Pin above).
A STUDIO VISIT TO CHARLIE BLUETT
Thomas had just recently come off a road trip and one of the stops was a studio visit to pick up new works from artist Charlie Bluett. He knows I really like this artist and his work. His abstractions are fresh, light and ethereal with translucent layering of soft beautiful colors. His landscapes are equally attractive and very minimalistic monochromes.
His aesthetic is very different from much of the work I see right now. You can tell that other viewers feel the same. When they come into the gallery, they pause in front of the paintings, and then begin to whisper. Then to discover (wait for it…) he’s British! (Even better!!)
Charlie Bluett’s artist studio in Vermont with carved wooden pigs on guard…
The artist’s home sits in a serene setting with a lovely pond as a muse for his creativity. His studio is behind the house with spectacular views and two pigs guarding the door. The pigs were carved by a colleague from trees felled on the property.
The studio is spacious and filled with light allowing him to work on several pieces at the same time. He works long hours with many pieces hanging to dry as well as pieces in progress. He likes to reflect on the work before considering it finished.
IDEAS INSPIRATIONS AND PAINTING
Thomas likes to see an artist at work and listen to them talk about their techniques. He really wants to understand it and know it. It helps him to educate prospective clients about the work and it is just one of the many reasons he is so respected in his field.
Abstracts on white gessoed canvases give the colors in Charlie’s art a soft translucent glow
Charlie was educated at Eton College and first exhibited in London 25 years ago. After a successful entrepreneurial career, he retired and decided to settle in Vermont to pursue an artistic career full time. He has found success fairly quickly showing in a number of galleries in the North and Southeast.
Charlie’s dogs giving the business to some of the other animals around the pond
This visit has given Thomas and me a much better understanding of some of the techniques and inspirations in Charlie’s art. He is one of the newest artists to Thomas Deans Fine Art and many of his latest creations will be on view in the coming months at this Atlanta gallery.
A beautiful landscape entitled The Old Farm Track…
CONCLUSION
I think you begin to see why I like this artwork and this gallery in particular and maybe you should too. This is THE place to go to find a good “cuppa” tea, have a nice chat about art and see all things British in Atlanta. Drop by and meet Thomas Deans.
If you enjoyed reading this you might also like other posts in Artful Ideal and this post on Thomas Deans Fine Art. Hey, don’t be a stranger! Let me know if you liked your visit to the gallery and what you thought of Charlie’s work. Give me some ideas on what you would like to read about here too OK? Until next time…
Cheers,
ArtsyChowRoamer
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TO MY READERS: This blog was updated with new info, pics and upgraded content on 12/3/2019.
PRO TIP: Both Charlie and David Brayne have got new works in the gallery since this blog was written. Drop by to see the latest from both of these talented artists as well as a new kid on the block I happen to love called Daniel Byrd.