The featured artist for the month of August at the Pell City Library has been J.W. “Buddy” Spradley. His works are on display until next Wednesday.

A lifelong, resident of Pell City, Spradley has been fortunate to have been raised in a Christian home surrounded in a world of art.  His father, Wayne Spradley, is an internationally known artist.  His mother, Patricia, included his brother and himself in every aspect of a professional art career.

Spradley has been a teacher in the Pell City School System for many years where he works as an art teacher, certified for all grades PreK-12.

“I have been an artist for as long as I can remember, selling my first painting at the age of five,” Spradley said.

He began winning awards at the age of eight. For two years he worked at the Birmingham Museum of Art and was owner of The Wayne Spradley Gallery in Pell City.

“I have always pursued my own style in my paintings,” Spradley said, “drawing and painting in realism as well as abstract. Being a very emotional painter, I have to paint what I feel and how I react to a specific subject or scene. I like painting scenes that are peaceful and comfortable. There have been events in my life that I needed to express myself showing a quiet peace, praying as I paint.”

Spradley said he has had many obstacles in my life, “but God has blessed me with my artistic skill and a wonderfully loving family to support me in every aspect of my life.”