Alfred Currier
Lifelong artist Alfred Currier (originally from Ohio) received his formal education at Columbus College of Art and Design, Ohio University, Franklin University, and the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he earned his degree in fine art. He is an artist member of the prestigious Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art where he taught before moving to Anacortes, Washington in 1991.
Currier is noted for his use of brilliant color and texture, as well as his focus on the figure. His vibrant impasto oil paintings often depict his travels as well as the Skagit Valley region where he lives. In 2005 Currier was the featured artist for Bulb Art Holland, an organization that represents the bulb industry in the Netherlands.
“My work takes on two basic faces. The first and oldest is my plein air oil painting. It is simply a response to nature and its environs with all its complexities. For me it is a time of great enjoyment probably equal to a fly fisherman in peak season or sailing on a broad reach with waters of glass. The most challenging part of plein air painting is the weather, but for a seasoned painter, you learn to adjust and cope. This would be my most comfortable if safest work.”
“The second and most demanding part of my work is my studio painting. These are impasto paintings and generally large in format. I start them with pencil sketches and try to make the subject matter take a rear seat to color and texture. With these paintings, I’m constantly drawing from within, which pushes the anxiety level to great heights. Trying to be creative, archival, and establishing my own identity would be my goals in this work. The key to this work is getting myself in that certain mental zone where I lose all concepts of time and space. This would be the most rewarding part of my work with also the greatest risks of failure.”
“In both cases I am inspired by the landscapes in the Skagit Valley. In the end, for me, art is about the process of doing, and not the end product expected.”
Marquand Books in association with the University of Washington Press published a book in 2003, “Alfred Currier: Impasto” by Ted Lindberg. Other publications: Art of the State of Washington, 1999: pub. Harry N. Abrams, American Artist 1997 cover, Southwest Art 1997 Best of the West, “How Far to Heaven” (children’s book) pub. Illumination Arts 1994.
Collections include: Museum deZwarte Tulp, Lisse, Holland; Lambiel Museum, Orcas Island, WA; Island Hospital, Anacortes, WA; Skagit Valley Hospital, Mount Vernon, WA; and Burlington Public Library, Burlington, WA.
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Biography |
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1983 |
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American Cancer Society, Beaux Arts Recipient |
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1987 |
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Annual Baer Art Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL |
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1987 |
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Union League Civic & Arts Foundation Grant Recipient |
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1988 |
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“Flora 88”, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Chicago, IL |
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1991 |
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Small Oil Painting National, Wichita, KS |
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1992 |
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Knickerbocker 42nd National Exhibition, New York, NY |
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1993 |
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Frye Museum, Seattle, WA |
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1994 |
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Waterfront Poster Artist, Anacortes, WA |
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1996 |
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Christ Church, New Zealand, “Seattle Sister City Celebration” |
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1998 |
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PINNACLE GOLD AWARD, International Society of Festivals for the Skagit Tulip Festival poster. |
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2000 – 2004 |
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Laguna Art Museum, LPAPA July Invitational, Laguna Beach, CA |
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American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL, Fine Arts Graduate |
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Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH, two years |
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Exhibitions |
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2003 – 2009 |
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Insights Gallery, Anacortes, WA (solo) |
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2007 – 2008 |
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Whatcom Museum |
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2005 |
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Bulb Art Holland- Featured Artist, Lisse,Holland (solo) |
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2002 – 2005 |
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Insights Gallery, Anacortes, WA |
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2001 |
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Patricia Rovzar Gallery, Kirkland, WA (solo) |
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1997 – 2001 |
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Lawrence Gallery, Sheridan, OR (solo) |
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1998 – 2000 |
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Patricia Rovzar Gallery, Kirkland, WA |
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1996 – 2000 |
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Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA (solo) |
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1997 – 1999 |
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Waterworks Gallery, Friday Harbor, WA (solo) |
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1996 |
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The Source Fine Art, Kansas City, MO (solo) |
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1995 |
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Kimzey Miller Gallery, Seattle, WA (solo) |
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1995 |
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The Source Fine Art, Kansas City, MO |
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1994 |
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Lawrence Gallery, Sheridan, OR |
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1994 |
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Louisiana St. University, Baton Rouge, LA |
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1994 |
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Runnings Gallery, Seattle, WA (solo) |
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1994 |
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Cabiri Fine Art, Anacortes, WA (solo) |
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1991 – 1994 |
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Taos Gallery, Taos, New Mexico |
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1993 |
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Cabiri Fine Art, Anacortes, WA |
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1993 |
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Anacortes Arts Foundation, Anacortes, WA (solo) |
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1992 – 1993 |
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Runnings Gallery, Seattle, WA |
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1992 |
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Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Chicago, IL |
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1991 |
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Stonington Gallery, Seattle, WA |
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1990 – 1991 |
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American Impressions Gallery, Kansas City, MO (solo) |
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1990 |
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Art Center of Kansas City, Kansas City, MO (solo) |
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1990 |
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Wichita Gallery of Fine Arts, Wichita, KS |
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1989 |
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American Legacy Gallery, Kansas City, MO |
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1989 |
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Newman Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ |
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1989 |
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Chicago O’ Hare Airport, Chicago, IL (solo) |
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1988 |
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Studio in the Woods, Wauconda, IL (solo) |
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1988 |
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3rd Coast on Dearborn, Chicago, IL (solo) |
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1987 |
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Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Chicago, IL (solo) |
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1987 |
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Arlington Arts Horse Racing Exhibition, Arlington, IL (solo) |
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1985 |
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Woodside Braseth Gallery, Seattle, WA |
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