Justin Gaffrey to host ‘Metal, Paint & String’ May 6

Justin Gaffrey, South Walton’s iconic self-taught acrylic artist, invites the public to a first-ever special event aptly titled ‘Metal, Paint & String’ on May 6 at 7pm at his gallery in Blue Mountain Beach. The event–named for the artist’s newfound materials as of late–is open to the public and will showcase a series of new contemporary works by Gaffrey. 
 
Speaking to his inspiration for hosting the event, Gaffrey says: “My understanding of art has completely changed over the years. I have been putting together a body of work that deals with the human condition through my own personal experience and observation of those closest to me. I’m looking forward to spending an evening sharing this growth and the discussion it inspires with my friends and longtime supporters and collectors in the community.”
 
Since the closing of his Seaside gallery last November, Gaffrey has been devoting a more concentrated focus to his contemporary art and meaningful pieces, while still carving out time to meet the demand of his popular palette knife originals that have garnered a nationwide audience. Most recently, Gaffrey has been experimenting with some new pieces that test the boundaries between his trademark bright colors and multidimensional acrylic with the restraint and deeper meaning of his evolving contemporary works, incorporating new materials such as string, metal and graphite. 
 
“I have strictly used only acrylic paint in my art for the past 12 years trying to stay purist in my medium. I have recently enjoyed the tactile exploration in sculpting with new material such as welding metal and drawing with pencil. Unlike years past where aesthetics came before meaning, I’m now focused on creating pieces with emotion front and center.”
 
Justin Gaffrey is Scenic Highway 30A’s signature acrylic artist. With his celebrated “sculpting with paint” technique, Justin’s widely sought-after palette knife originals are showcased and sold exclusively at his gallery at 21 Blue Gulf Drive in Blue Mountain Beach, Florida. While Justin’s subject matter varies, his works have predominately been reflections of the natural beauty he finds in and around Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A. Visit www.justingraffrey.com or call 850-267-2022 for more info.