Longmire has well-attended SAG featured artist reception

Charlie Longmire, a Selma native and 1993 graduate of Selma High, enjoyed a well-attended reception as the Selma Art Guild’s featured artist for the months of August and September on Aug. 10.

His show will remain up for view at the SAG Gallery at 508 Selma Ave. through the end of September on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Longmire, 51, is a self-taught portrait artist whose works have included a portrait of Asher HaVon, Selma’s winner of “The Voice.”

Longmire said he began drawing when he was 4 or 5-years-old and has been creating art ever since. He said, “I’ve always had a love and a passion for art.” But, he said, over the years he did drafting and designs and logos for t-shirts before he embarked on creating portraits of people.

Longmire said he was inspired by the late artist Bob Ross (“The Joy of Painting”) on TV and followed local artist Robert Baynes and William Blakes.

Longmire said he uses pastels, coloring pencils, pens, ink, charcoal and at times acrylics.

He said he was really excited about his reception and art show.

SAG President Cam Walker Guarino said, “It is the mission of the Selma Art Guild to provide opportunities for local artists like Charlie Longmire to show their works.”