Bio

Photo courtesy of Thom Thompson/ Delaware Today Magazine

An international business career afforded the artist an unparalleled opportunity to both visit much of the great architecture of past centuries as well as walk the halls of the renown museums worldwide.  Thus, following his retirement, Mr. Carter pursued a second degree at West Chester University, earning in 2001, a BFA in the studio arts with a minor in art history.  Since that time he has studied continually at the Rilievo Studio with artist/director Neilson Carlin in Kennett Square, PA.  This has been supplemented with courses at the Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD), the  Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts,  and teaching in the role of a visiting artist at Westchester University, instructing in the areas of color and design, and drawing of the human figure.

Mr. Carter has an unbounded respect for what we refer to as “old master paintings” and has used the study and reproduction of some to understand the major elements of composition, such as dominance, subordination, tension, lighting, gradation, color harmonies, balance,  brush technique, etc.,  to pursue his own interest in classical realism.  These studies form the foundation of his portraits and still life pieces. 

The artist is comfortable working with photographs as the foundation of portraits where the lighting and composition meet certain standards.  Although private sittings are always preferred by most artists, it is recognized that hours of posing is a burden to many.  He is a member of the Portrait Society of America, and the Philadelphia Sketch Club.

His murals are undertaken with an entirely different intent.  Here, whimsy and fantasy are dominant to provide a purely decorative effect.   The artist is an admirer of the work of the English muralist, Graham Rust, and mimics his style.  This approach can be elevated further in the direction of realism with extended effort when desired.  Direct wall painting is preferred for large vertical spaces whereas ceilings and smaller areas can be approached by adhering a finished canvas to wall or ceiling surfaces.  Examples of both methods are shown.

The artist resides with his wife in Greenville, DE.