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As a 1986 graduate of East Carolina University, I have enjoyed a variety of artistic endeavors. My
initial 15 years were spent as a freelance illustrator producing pastel paintings for publishers and
agencies across the country. Clients included Entrepreneur Magazine in Los Angeles, The Texas
Restaurant Association, The Chicago Tribune, Carolinas Medical Center and many others. This
was followed by 7 years with the Selmarq Agency in Charlotte where I worked as art and creative
director. The combination of these skills, in addition to the desire to pursue fine art, prompted me
to launch my own freelance company in 2007 called Walter Stanford Creative. I enjoy painting
riverscapes from the Appalachians and the simple farm life in North Carolina. I am presently a
member of the Southeastern Pastel Society and the Piedmont Pastel Society of Charlotte.
I work out of my home in Kannapolis where I live with my wife Valerie and daughter Merin.
In addition to the visual arts, I am an avid banjo player and enjoy any diversion which allows
for bluegrass.
Artists Statement
I enjoy seeing things that I never knew were there. Th is can mean going out of ones way or choosing
diff erent paths to follow for a while. Th e subjects I enjoy painting are usually like this. Whether it is
an intimate mountain stream off the beaten path or a simple mundane task of a farmer, my job is to
fi nd these subjects and communicate something about them through my work.
Th e mediums I presently use are acrylic, pastel and a ballpoint pen used for sketching. Th is allows
me to enjoy the quick decisions one must make with acrylic and the softness of pastel. With every
painting I work on, I know it is fi nished when it has that element I refer to as the sparkle, the right
amount of detail and simplicity which properly communicates my vision of the subject.
Th e current exhibition, Painting North Carolinas Century Farms, represents a project Ive wanted
to pursue for many years. As the son of a retired agricultural extension chairman, Ive had a deep
appreciation of farming all my life. Th is project offi cially began as a 2009 Regional Artist Project
grant from the Arts and Science Council of NC. It is not just about the farm, but the farmer,
his values and knowledge of the land and animals. It is this person which makes the farm both
productive and profi table and truly represents what is good about America. I have traveled 2900
miles and taken 1100 photographs so far to tell this ongoing story.
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