Richard Christian Nelson
Encyclopedia
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.
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 Wishgrove.
, noted heart surgeon Randolph Chitwood
, and distinguished Federal Judge Malcolm Jones Howard
.
Tryon, North Carolina
Tryon is a town in Polk County, North Carolina, United States. According to the 2000 Census the population of Tryon was 1,760. The area is a center for equestrian activity and fine arts....
. 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.
Background
Born in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
in 1961, Nelson earned his BFA at Detroit's College for Creative Studies
College for Creative Studies
College for Creative Studies is an art education institution in the United States and was cited by BusinessWeek as one of the 60 best design schools in the world. It is a private, fully accredited, four-year college located in Detroit, Michigan...
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 Wishgrove.
Life and work
The Portrait Society of America has recognized Nelson's portrait work with eight prestigious awards. Among his notable commissions are portraits of former General Motors Chairman John F. Smith, Jr.John F. Smith, Jr.
John Francis "Jack" Smith, Jr. is the non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Delta Air Lines. Smith has been a member of Delta's board of directors since 2000....
, noted heart surgeon Randolph Chitwood
Randolph Chitwood
Walter Randolph "Randy" Chitwood, Jr. is a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University located in Greenville, North Carolina....
, and distinguished Federal Judge Malcolm Jones Howard
Malcolm Jones Howard
Malcolm Jones Howard is a United States federal judge.Born in Kinston, North Carolina, Howard received a B.S. from United States Military Academy at West Point in 1962 and a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1970. He was in the United States Army Major from 1962 to 1972. He was a...
.
Awards
- 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