Henderson artist’s work featured at Nevada Arts Council
CARSON CITY, Nevada (September 18, 2018) – As a young artist with limited resources, Donald Corpier Starr drew inspiration from images he saw in magazines and books, and models for his drawings in his fellow parishioners in church.
From an early age, he had the knack of bringing out the personality and character of each subject featured in his drawings.
Now a collection of Starr’s works is the featured exhibit at the Nevada Arts Council’s OXS Gallery in Carson City, and will be in place through Nov. 9. An artist’s reception and talk will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
Titled, “Color the Emotion,” Starr’s exhibit consists of people who have piqued his interest over the years. His loving, character-infused portraits provoke a variety of reactions from the viewer. Starr uses positive/negative space to portray emotions in his portraits.
His philosophy for connecting with his audience is a simple one: “If I can create a pleasing image that creates a mood or emotion in the viewer and causes them to wonder ‘Who is this person?’ then I have accomplished my goal,” said Starr, a Kansas native who now makes his home in Henderson.
Starr’s mother recognized his artistic abilities early on and his formal arts education began with a summer scholarship to the Belmont Art Studios in Wichita, Kan., after his 6th-grade year. He received an Associate Degree from Coffeyville (Kan.) College and later studied art at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque before enlisting in the Air Force. During his years of service, he worked as an administrative clerk and graphics specialist.
Starr received an honorable mention for his submission for a Nevada Arts Council Artist Fellowship Grant in 2017. He was selected as a featured artist at the 2018 PopArt Street Gallery in Las Vegas.
Managed by the Artist Services Program at the Nevada Arts Council, the OXS Gallery is located at 716 N. Carson St., Suite A, in Carson City. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.