CONCORD ó Kannapolis illustrator and painter Walter Stanford will give a gallery talk, “So You Want to Be a Professional Artist,” Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Cabarrus Arts Council Galleries.The free talk will be at 7 p.m. in the galleries in the Historic Cabarrus Courthouse, 65 Union St. S. Stanford, whose works will be on display in the galleries through Aug. 17, will present a slideshow highlighting his illustration career and discuss methods to acquire clients and work.
He also will focus on steps young artists can take to put themselves in position to use their skills in a career. The talk is being offered in conjunction with the Cabarrus Arts Council Galleries’ Raw Talent II exhibition featuring works of high school and college students, which will be on view through Aug. 24. Stanford’s works on display include pastel illustrations and acrylic landscapes.
An East Carolina University graduate, he spent the first 13 years of his professional career as a freelance illustrator, specializing in editorial and imaginative pastel renderings for such publications as Entrepreneur Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. In 2000, he joined an advertising agency and added the computer to his list of tools as he designed corporate identity materials and trade show graphics for a variety of clients.
Earlier this year, he formed his own company which provides creative services to the advertising industry and allows him to pursue fine art as a regular part of his business. For more information, visit his Web site at www.walterstanford.com.
The Arts Council galleries also feature Plastipressionisms sculptures by David Edgar, Whimsical Sculptures by Joel Haas and Wood Workings by Michael Poorman.
For more information, visit www. cabarrusartscouncil.org or call 704-920-ARTS (2787).