Carolina Country Exhibit ~ Eastern NC Landscapes by Bernie Rosage Jr.

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE: "Carolina Country" Exhibit July 19 - August 23, 2012 featuring NC Landscapes by Bernie Rosage Jr.

CAROLINA COUNTRY
July 19 to August 23

The Arts Council of Wayne County
Main Gallery, First Floor

Artist Opening Reception

July 19, 2012

5 - 7 pm

With a focus on paintings that celebrate the landscape of eastern North Carolina, this exhibit will feature the work of three talented painters, Bernie Rosage, Skip Surman, and Sharon Killette.



Here is my personal artist statement and bio that will be played audibly at the show:

My name is Bernie Rosage Jr. and I’m a native of Onslow County, North Carolina, where I reside with my wife, Tami, our children and grandchildren. My passion for art started at an early age and it continues as a self taught artist. I like the term "self motivated to be taught" as I work hard to fuel my passion of painting.

I use a painterly approach to color and texture which gives me a unique sense of style, best defined as Impressionistic Realism. As you will see from this exhibit… I love to work in oils and acrylics and my style varies from true impressionism to the luminous style.

My subjects are often personal and convey feelings of peace, serenity, and nostalgia. I am drawn to country roads, marshlands, cottages, barns, trees, open fields, flowing rivers, etc... anything that eludes to a peaceful, calming feeling when viewed.

I mostly paint from life, either in the studio or on location “en plein aire“… a French term that translates to “in open air.” I am a firm believer that painting from direct observation really hones the artist’s skills and develops the art of seeing.

My mindset and work lately has taken a shift… I have moved beyond just capturing what my subject looks like to something deeper… I am striving for the divine and sublime as I paint now.

Bringing everyday objects to life in fresh and artistic ways by capturing light, mood, and atmosphere are goals I am consciously and consistently achieving. My favorite subject is the landscape… for me… painting the landscape is spiritual. It’s as if I am savoring God’s creation by painting it.

As a Down East son coupled with this love of the landscape makes this exhibit dear to my heart. I am honored to take part in it with two other talented artists who share their passion for Carolina Country.

My paintings are a culmination of sensitivity and skill and are collected throughout the United States, Ireland, Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. I hope you enjoy the show… and maybe one of my paintings will tug at your heartstrings and find a new home.

I’d like to close with a quote by Robert Henri from his book… The Art Spirit… that sums up my life as an artist…
"All any man can do... is add his fragment to the whole.

No man can be final... but he can record his progress...

What he leaves is so much for others to use as stones to step on, or stones to avoid.

After all, the goal is not making art... It is living life.

Those who live their lives will leave the stuff that is really art."

Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

Here are the 15 paintings representing the Eastern NC Landscape in the Carolina Country Exhibit by Bernie Rosage Jr.

Morning Has Broken

100% Cotton

Afternoon Burst

Down East Tobacco Barn

Down East Tobacco Barn in Snow

Tobacco Row

Across the Field

The Marina

The Brock Mill, Trenton, NC

Cedars at Northeast Creek

Carolina Marsh

Meandering Marsh

Topsail Thunder

Surf City Sail

Bouge Pier, Emerald Isle, NC

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE: "Taking the Intimidation Out of Plein Air Painting" Workshop by Bernie Rosage

“Taking the Intimidation Out of Plein Air Painting”

Workshop with Bernie Rosage Jr.

May 19, 2012

Bernie Rosage Jr.

Title: Taking the Intimidation out of Plein Air Painting
Instructor: Bernie Rosage Jr.
Workshop Department: Plein Air
Sponsor: The Council for the Arts, 826 New Bridge St. (across the street from the Jacksonville City Hall)
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012 ~ 10am - 5pm
Media: Oil, Acrylics
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Workshop Fee: $15 (Subsidized with a grant from the Council for the Arts)
Class Size: Limited to 8 artists
Location: Jean Wenner Studio at the Council for the Arts and at Wilson Bay Park near the Council.

Concept:
 Have you felt a little overwhelmed by the thought of trying to paint en plein air? Bernie shows you how fun the process can be as he breaks it down into a series of manageable steps. Learn what to expect in the field, what to pack, how to work with a limited palette, how to choose your subject matter wisely, simplify it and develop a dynamic design, plus more!

Experience:
This workshop is designed for all levels of artists who have little or no experience in plein air painting. As the founder of the Onslow Outdoor Painters Society (OOPS!), Bernie is constantly approached by artists who express an interest in plein air painting but are crippled by the intimidation of it. The goal of this workshop is dispel that fear and unveil the joys and benefits of painting in the open air on location. All artists, especially experienced studio artists, will benefit from the plein air experience.

Instructor Bio:
Bernie Rosage Jr. is an award winning painter and an enthusiastic instructor. He is a member of the Onslow Art Society, Blue Ridge Art Clan, Southern Plein Air Painters Guild, "Plein Eire" Painters of Ireland, and founder of the Onslow Outdoor Painters Society (OOPS!). One of his favorite ways to paint is on location en plein aire... the French term literally translates in open air. Bernie’s paintings are a wonderful culmination of sensitivity and skill and are collected throughout the United States, Ireland, Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Visit his website at www.bernierosage.com

To Register:
Please call the Council for the Arts at (910) 455- 9840 -or-
Email: jaxarts@jaxarts.com 

Click HERE for materials list...

In the News: I delivered several new paintings to New Bern ArtWorks Gallery.

If you are in New Bern, North Carolina, you have to drop by New Bern ArtWorks and Company Gallery. It is  one of the most impressive galleries in the state. The owners have done a great job of transforming the historic Baxter Jewelry Building into a functional gallery and working artists' open studios while maintaining the essence of the old jewelry store. I am honored to be represented by the gallery and associated with some of the best artists' around.

New Bern ArtWorks & Company
323B Middle Street
New Bern, North Carolina 28560
252.634.9002

Here is a link to my available paintings at New Bern ArtWorks.... click HERE...

These are a few of the paintings I delivered yesterday...

NEWS RELEASE: Onslow County High School Students do well in Regional Scholastic Art Awards at Barton College...

I had the honor of serving as one of the six jurors' for the The Scholastic Art Awards of Eastern/Central North Carolina. We spent the Friday and Saturday (January 6 & 7) judging over 2000 works of art for middle and high schools in the region.The Art Department of Barton College in Wilson, NC organized the event and is where all the judging took place. The Governor’s Student Achievement Award will be displayed in the Governor’s Mansion. The North Carolina Art Education Association Award, The Edward Brown Award, The Barton College Award, The Wilson Times Award, The American Vision Nominees (5 works), The Emerging Vision Award, the Jurors’’ Choice Portfolio, and all Gold Key works will be on exhibit at the Barton Art Galleries on campus of Barton College (see their site for dates). We had the privilege of working with three awesome people from Barton College… Mark Gordon, Regional Director… Susan Fecho, Chair, Department of Art and Design… and… Bonnie LoSchiavo, Secretary, Department of Art and Design.

The following info is from Barton College…
http://www.barton.edu/galleries/scholastics.htm

Operated by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards recognize student achievement in the visual arts and creative writing. Annually, the Alliance and its 81 Regional Affiliates review more than 100,000 submissions of art and writing by creative teenagers from across the country.

Since 1979, Barton College has hosted the Awards for the largest regional district in the state, currently with 62 counties from Winston-Salem to the Coast. The College is fortunate to be associated with The Wilson Daily Times, which provides financial support for the Scholastic Art Awards program.

The Awards provide the opportunity for teenagers to have their work exhibited in prestigious galleries. Barton College, as a regional affiliate hosts the work of eastern North Carolina award winners, each January. The works of 300 artists who earn Gold Medals and American Visions Medals are included in the national exhibition to be held in New York City

Read the rest of the story from Barton College Art Department HERE…

See the Regional Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mentions HERE…

Listed below are the Onslow County students that were awarded these honors. It was neat to see the results of the judging as it was released today on Barton College's website. While judging, we never saw the student or school info so it was with pride that I saw so many Onslow County students on the list today!

Congratulations to ALL recipients and your Art Teachers who help make this possible!

　

GOLD KEY AWARDS

White Oak High School
Teacher: Debra Pylypiw
James Booker, Memoirs of a Kid, GK
Victor Foster, Too Close for Comfort, GK, American Visions Nominee

Southwest High School
Teacher: Renee Otero
Alex Willis, Kristin, Surreal Landscape, Desert Lights and Orbs, 3 GKs
 
SILVER KEY AWARDS

White Oak High School
Teacher: Debra PylypiwÂ
Justin Davis, Stripped, SK
Sierra Dee, Under The Sun, SK

Southwest High School
Teacher: Renee Otero
Cameron Torres, Pyramids, SK

North Carolina Virtual Public School
Teacher: Sara Gant
Alexis Raiford, Back in the Day, David, the Thinker, Lexy's Silkscreen, 3 SKs

HONORABLE MENTIONS

White Oak High School
Teacher: Debra Pylypiw
James Booker, transparent, HM
Makayla Cayer, Chandler, Woods, 2 HMs
Justin Davis, Rust, HM
Sierra Dee, Smallest Creatures, Let People Hear You, 2 HMs
Rachel Krueger, Untitled, Untitled, 2 HMs
Catalina Morris, Art Portfolio, HM

Northside High School
Teacher: Eric White
Joshua Perry, Melting, HM

North Carolina Virtual Public School
Teacher: Sara Gant
Alexis Raiford, Abandoned Reflection, HM

Bernie interviewed by the Durham Independent Weekly concerning Arts Day 2011...

Letters from Mrs Hobbs Art Society
students at Carolina Forest Elementary
Click on image to enlarge

Connie Wenner, Stephen Greer, and I were interviewed by Byron Woods of the Independent Weekly concerning Arts Day 2011, the cutbacks, and visit with our (rather rude) Onslow County Representative George Cleveland. The two images are letters to Mr. Cleveland from Onslow County 5th grade art students in Mrs Hobbs art class at Carolina Forest Elementary.

Click HERE to read the article...

Letter from Mrs Hobbs Art Society
students at Carolina Forest Elementary,
Jacksonville, NC

Click on image to enlarge

Local Hero dies 65 years ago today!

Joseph Humphrey
1920 - 1946

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 (King James Version)



65 years ago today, Joseph Humphrey of Kellum, NC, became a local hero... Not for his love of country and 4 years of service in the Pacific with the US Army during World War II but his willingness to sacrifice his life to save a four year old girl and her mother from a house fire early on the morning of March 22, 1946.

He saved the small girl by throwing her out the window and rushed back to save the woman but to no avail... he and the woman died that night from injuries incurred by the fire.

The little girl he saved is alive today and will celebrate her 69th birthday this October. The little girl is my mom, Maggie (Minnie) Humphrey Rosage... the woman was my grandmother, Minnie Hewitt Humphrey... and Joe was my grandfather... my hero!

Would you want an asphalt plant in your neighborhood?

Would you want an asphalt plant in your neighborhood?

Would you want an asphalt plant in your neighborhood? You probably never gave it thought, to be honest, neither had I until a local company filed for the proper permits to build and operate one approximately one mile from my home. Since the company’s announcement to build I have acted like a mad man studying the effects and “what ifs” of a hot mix asphalt plant on local citizens. My studies reveal a reoccurring theme; asphalt plants release millions of pounds of chemicals in the air during production each year. These toxins are unhealthy to breathe and present a problem for citizens living within six miles of a plant. I even joined a local organization of concerned citizens called the PON Foundation (PON), an acronym for “Protecting Our Neighborhoods”, to help in the fight to stop this plant from being built at the proposed location. Asphalt plants should not be allowed to operate in residential areas. I have donated time, money, and service in this fight to protect my family and way of life on this issue.

On February 23, 2010, the Onslow County Board of Adjustment voted to issue a Special Use Permit to Morton Trucking Inc., which will allow the company to build a 200-ton-an-hour asphalt plant near Halltown Road and U.S. 17 (Maps). Areas within a six mile radius that will be affected include: Piney Green, Wolf Swamp, Kellum, Pumpkin Center, Country Club, and the Commons. Largely populated housing developments affected are Country Club, Country Club Hills, Highland Forest, Regalwoods, Fieldcrest, Sunset Acres, Fox Horn, and Jacksonville Commons. Several schools, preschools, apartments, churches, and businesses are also included in the six mile zone that will experience implications from this plant.

A 200-ton-an-hour asphalt plant will release millions of pounds of chemicals to the air during production each year. These chemicals include many cancer-causing toxic air pollutants such as arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, cadmium, lead, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and very fine condensed particulates (BRENDL, BRENDL - Asphalt Plant Fact Flyer Sheets). Asphalt fumes contain substances known to cause cancer, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, severe irritation of the skin, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Louis Zeller, science director for the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BRENDL) stated in an interview with the Daily News that, “Arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde are very harmful to children, the elderly, the infirm, and those who work and play outdoors”. Zeller added, “Asphalt pollution is big pollution and exposure to low levels of benzene and other pollutants in the toxic soup emitted by an asphalt plant have been known to cause Leukemia and negatively affect the immune system and bone marrow” (Dewitt). The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that very fine condensed particulates called particulate matter can pose the greatest problems because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into the bloodstream. Scientific studies have linked particle pollution, especially fine particles, with a series of significant health problems, including: decreased lung function; aggravated asthma; development of chronic bronchitis; irregular heartbeat; heart attacks; and premature death in people with heart or lung disease (EPA).



Cedars at Northeast Creek
8x10" oil plein air
Bernie Rosage Jr.

 Asphalt plants bring other concerns to communities beyond health issues. Local landowners will suffer adverse impacts to their property values. A 2003 study by BREDL on property values around a North Carolina asphalt plant showed a 27 percent average drop in property value and a 56 percent decrease in areas closest to the plant (BRENDL). Environmental issues cause another concern, especially how run-off from the plants aggregate piles can affect our rivers and drinking water. The proposed plant site adjoins a protected area of wetlands on the Little Northeast Creek. Heavy rains from hurricanes and nor’easters, common to our area, could prove devastating to our local rivers as the Little Northeast Creek feeds the Northeast Creek which runs into the New River. The water and river concerns have brought the New River Foundation and the White Oak-New Riverkeeper Alliance organizations into the fray. All their hard work protecting and cleaning up our rivers over the past decade could easily be wiped out with a single hurricane. Our rivers and coastline draw tourist from all over the state and beyond, one can only imagine the economic impact on Onslow County if we lost these prized resources.

Most people embrace new industry which bring jobs and revenue to our area, myself included, but there are cases where the costs outweigh the profits. An asphalt plant in a populated area is such a case. The proposed plant is said to employ four to ten people on site. The county revenues generated by these salary numbers will not come close to offsetting the loss in county property taxes due to the 27 to 56 percent decrease in property values. There have been claims that we breathe in toxins every time we fill our car’s gas tank. This is true but the two minutes a week it takes to fill our tanks cannot be compared to the twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week that an asphalt plant releases toxins into the air. Some may argue that the North Carolina Division of Air Quality has the responsibility of keeping our state’s air clean and monitoring asphalt sites to make sure they follow proper guidelines. This is true, but the unabashed truth is that they are underfunded, under staffed, and cannot monitor all the state plants in a timely fashion.



View from my driveway.
Plein air oil on canvas.

 The fight to stop the proposed site of this asphalt plant is a personal one for me. I am a landscape artist and the idea of not being able to paint outside in my own yard frightens me. As an artist, I know the dangers cadmium and lead can present since they are incorporated in many oil paints. I make sure I use the utmost care when handling them. I am also aware that toxins do not have to smell to present a problem. They can be odorless as in the odorless mineral spirits I use to clean my brushes which is extremely dangerous if not properly handled.

My daughter and
painting buddy,
Olivia.

Art is my passion and my livelihood. The real cause for my fight goes beyond passion, livelihood, and property values; I fight for my daughter’s health and way of life. My nine year old daughter has asthma and an asphalt plant in our neighborhood means that she will never be able to play outside in our yard again. I’m not against asphalt plants; I enjoy driving on paved roads, I merely have no use for them in our neighborhoods. A simple solution is to build the plant in an unpopulated area where people could have the choice to live near it. When the bottom line and a handful of jobs are more important than our quality of life, we are in a sad state of affairs.

All paintings in this blog post were painted en plein aire near my home. All are within the area that will be affected by the proposed asphalt site location. Most of the locals will recognize these scenes. Sad to think that if the permit is granted by North Carolina Division of Air Quality (public hearing March 1st... click HERE for details) I will never be able to recreate these paintings on location ever again without adverse health effects!

A concerned citizen, artist, and father...
Bernie

More paintings...

Bernie reaches goal... 500+ paintings!

I started painting seriously in late 2004 with the encouragement of several cyber artist friends at Wet Canvas. In 2007, artist friend and mentor, Mike Rooney, challenged me to paint 100 paintings in a year... I took him up on his offer and haven't slowed down since. This summer I surpassed a goal I set for myself in that same year... to paint 500 paintings. I reached my goal in June 2010 and gave my 500th painting to my middle daughter for her birthday. I hope you enjoy this video of 150 of the 500+ paintings I've painted to date. Thanks for your patronage and encouragement over the past several years.
Bernie



Youtube link: Selected Paintings by Bernie Rosage Jr.

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE: Plein Air Art Show in Morehead City, NC

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE:

WHAT:
"En Plein Air... Plus"... plein air art exhibit.

WHEN:
September 2010; Opening Reception Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

WHERE:
Carolina Artist Studio Gallery, Inc.
800 Evans Street
Morehead City, NC
(252) 726-7550

MORE INFO:
Please make plans to attend the Opening Reception for Carolina Artist Studio Gallery's exhibit "En Plein Air... Plus". The exhibit will feature plein air paintings by local artists; Bernie Rosage Jr., Eleanor McArver, Susan Cheatham, George Hunter, Sue Henry, Beth Conley, Mitchell Morton, Anne Ward, and Bob Pittman. The paintings will be displayed in the gallery throughout the entire month of September, 2010. Telephone (252) 726-7550.

Enchanting Ireland Art Exhibit @ New Bern ArtWorks by Bernie Rosage Jr: FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE

“Enchanting Ireland”

September 1 - 30, 2009

New Bern ArtWorks & Company Gallery and Studio
323B Middle Street (rear)
New Bern, North Carolina 28560
252 634-9002

Art Walk and Artist's Reception Friday, September 11th, 5-8PM.

Take an artistic journey to the Emerald Isle as seen through the eyes and palette of American Artist, Bernie Rosage Jr. Selected works from the "Enchanting Ireland" collection is on exhibit at ArtWorks and Company, New Bern, NC. This collection was inspired by a trip Bernie and his wife, Tami, took to Ireland in celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary and their family heritage. These works are the culmination of 11 months of arduous work… “I thoroughly enjoyed painting this series… with each stroke it felt as if I was still in that special place” states Rosage. He goes on to say, “It is my wish that you (the viewer) get a sense of the beauty and magical quality of the Irish landscape, culture, and her people as you view these works… in short… I hope you too are Enchanted.”

Bernie Rosage Jr. is a native of Onslow County, North Carolina, where he resides with his wife, Tami, their children and grandchildren. Bernie’s passion for art started at an early age and continues as a self taught artist. He likes the term "self motivated to be taught" as he works hard to fuel his passion of oil painting. His painterly approach to color and texture adds to his unique sense of style, best defined as Impressionistic Realism. His subjects are often personal and convey feelings of peace, serenity, and nostalgia. "I am drawn to country roads, marshlands, cottages, barns, trees, open fields, flowing rivers, etc... anything that eludes to a peaceful, calming feeling when viewed," states Rosage. His paintings are a wonderful culmination of sensitivity and skill and are collected throughout the United States, Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

.
http://www.bernierosage.com/
Go to Bernie’s web page and click on his “Enchanting Ireland” blog to read more about these paintings and their experiences in Ireland.