A Sense of Time and Place: Work by Greg Burns exhibit opens, Oklahoma History Center

The Oklahoma History Center is honored to present a selection of works by famed Oklahoma artist Greg Burns. The exhibit A Sense of Time and Place: Work by Greg Burns will consist of ten drawings and paintings that have been chosen by the artist specifically for display at the History Center. The exhibit will be located on the third floor of the History Center in an area of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Gallery known as Curators’ Corner. The exhibit will open Thursday, June 21, and will close Saturday, September 29.

An opening reception will be held at 5:30 pm on Thursday, June 21. An interview with the artist by OHS Executive Director Dr. Bob Blackburn will begin in the Chesapeake Events Center at 5:30 pm. A reception will follow on the James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation Atrium, located on the third floor. Light refreshments will be provided. The reception is free and open to the public.

Burns, although not native to Oklahoma, was moved there as an infant to be treated for arthrogryposis, a muscle and joint disorder that severely limits or prevents movement of the extremities. A graduate in fine arts from the University of Oklahoma, his intricate pen-and-ink drawings and watercolors have received international recognition. Realizing his gift at a very early age, Burns said, “I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t drawing. I won several art competitions beginning in high school and then, in 1978, was honored to receive the Governor’s Art Award for the state of Oklahoma from David Boren.” Among the driving forces in his career was a desire to refute the advice of an uncle who told him not to waste his time being an artist. Undaunted by his uncle’s words, he made $50,000 his first year as a professional artist. “If the truth be told, my first sale was to my grandmother. She bought a painting for $50,” said Burns.

His method is anything but conventional. Burns draws with a permanent ink roller ball cradled in his right hand and then colors his drawings with watercolor washes. The watercolors are applied with a brush held in his teeth so that his hand and arm will not drag over the wet paint. Typically his art pieces take a few days to a couple of weeks to complete, depending on size and subject matter. To learn more about Greg Burns, visit www.gregburns-fineart.com.