French Broad River #82. Martin Pasco, artist
The French Broad River has long been a favorite subject for artist Martin Pasco, but a new exhibition at the Asheville Gallery of Art narrows that focus even further, following the river from its headwaters at Courthouse Falls to Hot Springs near the Tennessee border. Martin Pasco: The French Broad River will be on display at the gallery through Monday, August 31, with an opening reception on Friday, August 7, from 5–8 p.m.
Since moving to Barnardsville seven years ago, Pasco has completed more than 80 paintings featuring the river.
“Other than the landscapes around my house in Barnardsville, the French Broad River is what I have painted the most,” says Pasco. “What I discovered was that, much like that other guy who painted all those water lilies, it’s pretty difficult to exhaust the possibilities of a subject, especially when water is involved.”
French Broad River #56. Martin Pasco, artist
After initially painting stretches near Asheville and Marshall, he ventured both upstream to the headwaters in Transylvania County and north to Hot Springs, discovering distinct landscapes along the way.
“[Those locations were a] different experience altogether,” he says. “Nearer to the source also allowed me to paint another of my favorite subjects: rocks.”
Before returning to fine art, Pasco built a career as a commercial architectural illustrator after earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Penn State University. That work, which often centered on reflective glass and metal buildings, continues to influence his approach to painting landscapes.
“[Those illustrations had] lots of glass and metal, so lots of shiny, reflective things along with transparency,” he says. “Those types of subjects give you the opportunity to be rather fluid, even when you’re painting straight, hard-edged objects.”
Although the exhibition showcases recognizable locations along the French Broad River, Pasco hopes visitors connect with something beyond the scenery.
“The river has its own spirit, which I hope I’m capturing in all of its moods,” Pasco says.
The Asheville Gallery of Art is located at 82 Patton Avenue in Asheville, across from Pritchard Park. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. To learn more, call 828.251.5796, visit AshevilleGalleryofArt.com or follow the gallery’s Facebook page.
