Wild about art: Todd Reed

By: Laura Ivie
Staff Writer
August 16, 2011

The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts has a new exhibit starting Thursday, August 18 featuring wildlife artist Todd Reed, and it's one you won't want to miss. Reed grew up in Shelbyville, Tennessee where drawing and painting the various wildlife he encountered was his passion. The medium he uses include gouache, acrylic, graphite and watercolor.

Reed attended the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, graduating with a BA in graphic design and currently is the Art Director for an ad agency in Chattanooga, though at heart he considers himself a wildlife artist. He has won numerous awards at such events as the Arts Alive Festival, the Southern Wildlife Festival, and the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association Wildlife Art Expo.

Being an avid outdoorsman, Reed's inspiration for his art work comes from his own observations in the field. He keeps a camera and sketchpad at the ready, just in case an opportunity presents itself.

The exhibit runs through September 27th and can be seen Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and there is no charge. The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is located in Downtown Florence at 217 East Tuscaloosa Street and they may be reached at 256-760-6379.