D.R. Mullins

D.R. Mullins (born April 18, 1958)[1][2] is a multi-dimensional visual artist from the Appalachian region of southwest Virginia. Mullins' artwork is often rich with depictions of Appalachian culture and Buddhist philosophy. Over the past 35 years, Mullins' art has taken many shapes, forms, styles, and mediums. He is an accomplished portraitist, muralist, sculptor, theatrical set designer, interior designer, and free-lance painter residing in Shady Valley, Tennessee.[3]

Early life and education

D.R. Mullins was born in Alexandria, Virginia, but, after his birth moved to the small town of Clintwood, Virginia.[2] After graduating high school, Mullins was accepted on a full football scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[2] A devastating knee injury put a halt to Mullins' athletic endeavours, but came to allow Mullins' more time to pursue his college major and second passion: art. Although he never completed his B.F.A., it was there that he learned the basic fundamentals of art.

Career

As a freelance artist, Mullins has worked many different jobs throughout his lifetime, all of which have had strong artistic influence.

Theatrical design
Mullins married wife, Robin Mullins,[2] a native of Wise, Virginia and fellow artist, musician, and actor.[4] Together they moved to Lexington, Virginia where they both worked at the outdoor Theatre at Lime Kiln.[5] Here, artist D.R. Mullins worked on set design and most notably was commissioned to construct papier-mâché puppet heads that would be worn by eight-to-14-foot tall, stilt-walking actors.[6][7]
Mullins worked for many years at the historic state theatre of Virginia, Barter Theatre, where Mullins' served as Head Scenic Artist.[8][9]

Murals

Mullins is often best known for his magnificently intricate and beautiful murals displayed throughout Virginia. Mullins' commissions include murals for the Virginia Gas Co., the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon,[10] the Virginia Highlands Community College,[11] the Bristol (Virginia) Public Library,[12] and Abingdon, Virginia's new cultural/art center, Heartwood.[13][2]

"Appalachian Identity" at the Virginia Highlands Community College[14]
"Going Places" at Bristol (Virginia) Public Library[15][8]

Exhibitions

D.R. Mullins has shown his artwork in a multitude of spaces throughout the years with most prominent exhibitions in Philadelphia's Indigo Arts Gallery, the "8" gallery in Southport, NC,[7] Kamen Gallery at Washington and Lee University, and William King Museum where Mullins shared in a three-man show entitled "Pillars of Bohemia".[2]

References
  1. Indigo Arts Gallery
  2. "Indigo Arts". Indigo Arts. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  3. "Kamen Gallery Walk and Reception with D. R. Mullins :: Washington and Lee University". Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
  4. "Robin Mullins". IMDb. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  5. "Theater at Lime Kiln | Lexington, VA | Upcoming Events". Archived from the original on 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
  6. Star News Online
  7. Correspondent, Justin Lacy StarNews. "Artist proves his range with new exhibit". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  8. Bristol Herald Courier
  9. ROBINSON, ALLIE. "Barter to launch 80th season". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  10. "Home". www.swcenter.edu. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  11. "Virginia Highlands Community College - Home". www.vhcc.edu. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  12. "Bristol Public Library - Children's Department". Archived from the original on 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
  13. "Heartwood". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  14. "Appalachian Identity" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  15. Staff, TriCities. "Bristol Library Children's Department Unveils Murals". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
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