Denis Byrd Studios

When we bought the house 3 years ago, we had the idea of turning the shabby looking cinder block storage building into a studio. My goal has always been to have a studio that’s separate from the house. It has been. Slow process of renovating piecemeal as I had time between grad school, teaching, and being a parent. This year the renovation was kicked into over drive due to the arrival of our newest edition. I had hoped to finish before he got here but he surprised us and came early. Then my goal was before January 1st! I am not going to make that deadline but I am really close. I am on the home stretch, just finish adding some insulation and the ceiling then slap on some paint and it’s done and I am ready to create some master pieces. This project has slowed my pace for painting some in 2023 but be on the look out for a lot more work in 2024, including some larger pieces that the new space will accommodate. Happy New year everyone!

All set for Santa’s arrival. A merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

It’s been a busy few weeks at the Byrd house. We just welcomed a new addition to the family and new studio assistant… and look he is already sleeping on the job! 😴 I will return with updates on the studio as well as new paintings in the near future. In the meantime I may folllow the little guy’s lead and catch some 💤

It’s not snowing here but it is the first day of winter. Hoping for some good snowfall this winter in the piedmont!

In honor of international Hobbit Day here are some photos from my quest through Middle Earth (New Zealand) back in 2006.

Thank you and for honoring me and recognizing my painting with 4th place. I am also happy to report that this painting was purchased during the wet paint sale. It was a great plein air festival and so well organized. I had a wonderful time painting with new friends and reconnecting with old friends. Thank you for organizing this event.


1st photo courtesy of the Blowing Rock Museum of Art

4th in the Blowing Rock plein air festival.

4th Place

Denis Byrd

“Morning Clouds Lifting” oil

This is a beautiful landscape of the early morning light and lifting fog on the mountains. It is a fleeting effect of light that quickly changes as the mountains play peek-a-boo. I see a wonderful zig-zag pattern leading us through the painting. Denis created a very large painting which must have been done with lightning speed.

I am channeling my inner Monet at Bass Lake, painting water lilies. It’s been a great week of painting at the Blowing Rock Plein Air festival. I can’t wait to see everyone’s paintings tomorrow at the wet paint sale at the BRAHM . Be sure to check out their link to register for a timed entry for the wet paint sale tomorrow.

Painting at Cone Manor yesterday morning. The plein air festival continues the rest of the week with the wet paint sale on Saturday. Be sure to visit the website to reserve for a free entry time to the wet paint sale.

First day of the Blowing Rock Plein air festival is in the books. Midday paintings can be difficult, the light is harsh and few shadows but I lucked out and had some amazing clouds and a beautiful vista along the Blue Ridge Parkway outside Blowing Rock. Be sure to come find me tomorrow around Blowing Rock. Happy painting, everyone.

Plein air is not without its challenges. I was joining the High Country Plein Air painters yesterday and I remembered my funny hat but left my mineral spirits, medium, and cadmium red at home. Thankfully, I was able to borrow some medium and make it work anyway.

I am excited to have two paintings in shows this summer. “Tanawha (Grandfather Mountain) at sunset” is currently on display at the in New York for their annual members show. “View from Vale Crucis” was juried into the associate member online show in July.

Apparently, I have been painting away and forgetting to post. Another small work from a few months ago, near Todd, NC.

A small cloud study I painted a while back but forgot to share. This is somewhere near West Jefferson but exactly where I couldn’t tell you know.

Playing with some architecture in this one. while still keeping it loose and painterly.

“Along the Wachau Valley”
12x16, Oil on linen.

I will be attending the Plein air festival again this year. Be sure to sign up for you time slot for the wet paint sale.

Counting down the days to the Plein Air Festival and Wet Paint Sale!

After four days of painting "en plein air," painters are invited to display their completed works at the "Wet Paint" Art Show & Sale on Saturday, August 19th. Collectors and the public are invited to attend this impressive display of Plein Air paintings to both view and purchase the unique works that highlight the incredible beauty of the High Country.

Reserving your time slot for the wet paint sale is required but FREE.

Reserve your spot for the wet paint sale: https://www.blowingrockmuseum.org/calendar/2023-wet-paint-sale

Painting alongside our gravel road, last spring. I was experimenting with painting large, 24x30, while en plein air. It was a multi day painting at the same time every day.

Just recently finished this painting of Grandfather Mountain, known as Tanawha in Cherokee. It will be on display at the Salmagundi Club in New York for their summer members show opening at the end of the week.


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It’s been a long two year process converting this storage building into a studio. I still have a little more to do but it has electricity. Getting close to being able to move my easel in.

It’s hot out there! So how about some snow. This is a Plein air piece I did from the last major snowstorm we had in 2022. It was recently on display at the Salmagundi Club in NYC but it’s back home on North Carolina now.
Available. DM for purchase information.

I am not one for meeting celebrities but Shannon and I both enjoyed meeting Samantha Brown at Grandfather Mountain last night. She was kind, down to earth, and very personable. It was great to hear why she loves travel. We even had a few minutes at the end to talk to her whys for traveling with kids. What a great time. Thank you Samantha Brown taking the time to come to mountain and speak.

Just completed this one in Boone last week while painting with the High Country Plein Air Painters.

Oil on canvas. 11x14.

This is one of my favorite views of Grandfather Mountain, from Cone Manor in Blowing Rock. It’s one I keep coming back.
Oil on canvas. 5x7

I am back at the 5x7 paintings. These small paintings help me keep my brush moving when life gets busy. This one is of the farm that sits across the road from the Mast General store in Vale Crucis.

I was finally able to reconnect with in Budapest last week. It’s been several years since we both taught together at CCS, notice he wore his CCS shirt for the occasion. It was good catching up!