News & Events at Ashley's Art Gallery

Meet John Paul Strain Civil War Artist
Saturday December 12, 2009, 1:pm - 5:pm

John Paul Strain is a scuba diver, a civil war artist, reinactor and historian. Meet him at the show!	Shenandoah Crossing General Stonewall Jackson at White House Bridge Luray Valley, Va - May 21, 1862 New from John Paul Strain John Paul will enhance a few recently purchased canvases ! Call Ashley's at (919)552-7533 for more details!

View Artist's Portfolio
A Word from John Paul Strain: It gives me great pride to have my historical artwork displayed at Ashley's Art Gallery and to share my passion for history through art with viewers around the world. As we move into the next century, I look forward to many more years of painting the turning points in our nation's history. The medium I use is watercolor gouache, which allows me to paint with great detail, clarity, and brilliant colors. I hope that you will join me in my passion for history and my love of bringing that history to life through my artwork. John Paul Strain Historical Artist American artist John Paul Strain captures the color, drama, and history of the Civil War with a vivid realism that is unique among the nations top-ranking historical artists. His book, A Witness to the Civil War released in November 2002 is a best seller for his publisher and is currently on its second printing. The book is unusual among art books in that it is written by the artist. Scholastic Resources purchased over 3 thousand copies of the edition for school libraries across the country. Recently John Paul Strain was invited to make a one hour appearance on the national television program  Washington Journal on C-Span, where he fielded questions about his art and history. Strains paintings have helped to raise funds for many historical restoration projects and battlefield preservation organizations. The National Park Service have used his images in their publications and at battlefield sites. A number of historical private institutions have also featured his work such as JEB Stuarts home and estate. Mr. Strains limited edition prints are highly acclaimed and sought after by collectors who prize his studies of Lee, Jackson, Forrest and other Civil War Leaders, as well as scenes of conflict and pageantry. He is the first historical artist to offer his works using the Giclée process on canvas, which have become an immediate success. The reproductions of his work have won numerous 1st place awards and Best of Show honors, such as the PICA Awards, The Printing Industry of the Carolinas Inc. His distinctive artistic style, which combines bright colors and contrasting shadows, and his devotion to historic authenticity, and conservative edition sizes have made his work well known and avidly collected throughout the world of historical art.