Regional artwork brightens restaurant
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Several art pieces by Cheney artist Richard Warrington hang in the gallery area of Seasons of Coeur d'Alene Fresh Grill and Bar.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Works by renowned Northwest impressionistic sculptor Richard Warrington are on display now at Seasons of Coeur d'Alene Fresh Grill & Bar downtown.SHAWN GUST/Press Warrington, who lives south of Spokane, has more than a dozen SHAWN GUST/Press pieces at Seasons, where his work will be displayed through this month in the gallery/meeting room.
While his art is on display worldwide, Warrington said, "It's good to get recognized where you live, too."
The artist, 64, said his art "somehow has a calling to people. They love the depth they can see."
Warrington's preferred medium is powder coated aluminum, but he also works in stainless steel, bronze and cast acrylics. He has been a sculptor for more than 40 years.
Warrington said the pieces at Seasons range in price from $4,500 to $10,000.
Don "Pepper" Smock, co-owner of the restaurant, which opened this summer at Second Street and Lakeside Avenue, said, "Our customers can enjoy dining in an art gallery. Part of what we do at Seasons is feature local artists."
Smock, an artist in his own right, has purchased three of Warrington's sculptures.
"I do what I love, and I just hope people like it," Smock said. "And I recognize that in Richard's work."
He said he's excited to have Seasons associated with Warrington's talent.
Smock said he appreciates the color, dimension and energy of Warrington's sculptures.
"They seem alive to me," he said.
Warrington also has two pieces displayed downtown in Coeur d'Alene, at the intersection of Third Street and Sherman Avenue, and across Lakeside from Seasons.
Warrington, about himself personally, said, "I'm a small-town boy."
He grew up in Coulee City, in central Washington. He lived there until age 14. He opened a studio in downtown Spokane in 1971.
Warrington said he finds his inspiration for the sculptures from people and events, including sports.
While he's from the Columbia Basin, he said, "A lot of my work has an oriental flair. They say Virgos have this in their DNA."