I was born in Greenville, Mississippi. Much of my early childhood was spent in the countryside of the Delta. I attended Mississippi Delta Community College and Delta State University, but I moved to Atlanta and graduated with top honors from The Art Institute of Atlanta. After that, I built a career in advertising and design working for various ad agencies throughout the Southeast.
I was laid off in 2009 due to the housing crash but relying on my airbrush skills I began painting custom cars for a living. Later I opened a sign & t-shirt shop which was a struggle to get going. But my biggest life challenge was losing my wife of 25 years. In 2014 all my passion for Art died with her death. I simply found no joy in drawing or painting.
Since then, I have been in a slow recovery to regain that spark. In 2017 I remarried to a wonderful woman who is my rock and my inspiration. We share a wonderful life near West Point Lake outside LaGrange, Georgia.
After forcing myself to attend a couple Art workshops in 2019, I finally picked up traditional paint brushes again since my high school days. Now back into traditional painting, I’m learning to feel the emotion in Art and explore the colors of a vibrant palette. I am also exploring my love for realism Art and playing with different styles. Discovering the masters of painting has been another love I am enjoying. I’m in wonder and awe of what they can teach us.
I have been honored to have my artwork displayed in these galleries and venues:
— The LaGrange Art Museum in LaGrange, GA
— Red Hill Gallery at Lake Martin, AL
— The Bo Bartlett Art Center in Columbus, GA
— The Suffering Artist Gallery in Hogansville, GA
— The Columbus Public Library in Columbus, GA
— Jan Dempsey Art Center in Auburn, AL
— The Southside Art Center in Opelika, AL
Two of my pieces were recently chosen as the permanent art collection at the newly opened Oakfuskee Nature Center on West Point Lake. It really is a beautiful convention center overlooking the lake. I still take custom Art commissions and I’m involved in several art clubs like The Columbus Artists’ Guild, the Visual Artists Alliance of LaGrange, Opelika/Auburn Visual Voice, Artists Association of Central Alabama, and a small group myself and my artist friend Ray VanTillburg started called A little Sketchy Drawing Club.
I don’t know where my art journey will go, but I’m excited at the possibilities. Like a Phoenix, I will rise from the ashes. Thank you for your support.
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Sean Burnley
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