Philbeck originals on display in Cliffside

"Secret Place," an original by Phillip Philbeck, captures a beautiful scene in Sunshine, N.C. It is one of several original works and two studies on display at the Blue Moon Gallery in Cliffside. Admission is free. A collection of originals by Phillip Philbeck is now on display at the Blue Moon Gallery in Cliffside, N.C.

Exhibited are "A Beautiful Season" that captures the Biltmore House in winter; "New Blanket," a portrait of an old farmhouse in Vale, N.C.; "Altar in the Forest," a scene at Roaring Fork Falls in McDowell County; and "Secret Place," a beautiful painting of a scene in Sunshine, N.C., near the artist's home. Also on exhibit are two of his original studies.

Described as an "artist to watch" in Art and Frame Review, Philbeck has been painting rustic and natural landscapes and still-lifes all of his life. He said he has actually sold originals as early as age 13 and would charge his second and third grade classmates for drawings he made of hot rods.

Painting is the only job he has ever had. He usually works in oil and paints mostly landscapes which he says are the things he grew up with and those things with which he has an emotional connection. He describes his style as realism mostly with a touch of romanticism.

Philbeck captures the snowy dusting of a winter morning, silent clouds in a summer sky, the familiarity and beauty of the rural landscapes, familiar waterfalls seen through the artist's eyes, frozen droplets on a tree limb and all with a keen attention to detail and a distinctive differentiation of shape and texture.

Philbeck said that even as a child he was fascinated by color and the illustrations in books. He says, too, that he enjoyed looking at art books of landscapes by the Old Masters and literally pored over the book "The World of Bob Timberlake" with a magnifying glass. He says that Timberlake is one of many artists whom he has admired over time. Philbeck's originals, limited-edition prints, artist proofs and posters are sold throughout the world.

John Fisher and his wife, Beth, operate the Blue Moon Gallery. Less than a year old, the gallery already represents 64 artists and crafters - from stained glass artists to basket makers and blacksmiths. The originals and studies are exhibited across a fountain wall at the entrance to the gallery.

The gallery is located on Old Main Street in downtown Cliffside, just off of NC 221-A, midway between the Cowpens National Battlefield and Forest City.

For more information about the gallery and the exhibit, visit bluemoon-arts.com or call 828-657-6969.