Ashley Lathe - The Guinea Pig

With just over two weeks until the opening of Pantone 278, it will come as no surprise to many that the first artist will be none other than Ashley Lathe. This was perhaps the easiest decision I have made so far in deciding to open the Gallery, as I probably would have never done this if it weren't for his encouragement.

So, a little bit about Ash. A native of North Carolina, Ash graduated in 1992 from East Carolina University with a B.A. in Graphic Design and Illustration and began his art career as a commercial artist. Following completion of post-graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Ash taught art classes at the university level. In 2002, with the support of a wonderful family he made the leap to full-time artist. After having a three-month residency at the McColl Center for Visual Art, Ash returned and recently completed a stint as an eleven-month affilitate artist. Ash works mostly in watercolor, and while many of his works involve ordinary, even mundane subjects (buildings, warehouses, windows), the viewer cannot help but be drawn into the painting, bringing his or her own past experience to create meaning from the subject and Ash's rendering.

Ash's development and the progression of his work at the Center has not gone unnoticed. On March 26, 2009, Charlotte Center City Partners honored Mr. Hugh McColl, Jr. with its 2009 Vision Award. At the award ceremony, Mr. McColl was presented with a watercolor painting by Ash. The untitled piece depicts a view of the Uptown Charlotte skyline and creates a sense of growth, movement and warmth that characterizes our city.

This past September, as part of his affiliation with the McColl Center for Visual Art, Ash organized a community art project that resulted in an engaging mural that is on display at the Center. Attached is a video of the project, produced by the Center staff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faS0PNefDaw

I consider Ash a close friend and a promising artist. The energy, enthusiasm, creativity, thoughtfulness and genuine nature that Ash brings to his work is the inspiration behind Pantone 278. I look forward to sharing his works with you.

To learn more about Ash and his work, check out his website and blog. http://www.ashleylathe.com/