GREENSBORO, N.C. — Chip Holton is a local treasure.
The Lexington artist and sculptor met Dennis Quaintance in the mid-1980s when Dennis was planning the first Lucky 32 restaurant in Greensboro. Dennis hired Chip immediately and they have worked together for more than 30 years.
"Dennis and I hit it off immediately", said Holton, "We just clicked and since then I've had a creative role in all QW projects."
Not only the projects but the overall look of the O Henry Hotel including the murals and portraits. In fact, Chip now has an original piece of art in every room of The O. Henry.
"This most recent project is a labor of love and something I've dreamed about all my life," said Holton, " I am a combination of entertainment for the patrons in the bar area of Lucky 32 but I'm also working on all the paintings that will eventually adorn the walls of the restaurant area. In addition, this will essentially be a gallery show for me which is something I've always wanted. It's amazing...I get paid to paint and then have a gallery."
Of course, people are fascinated.
"I get all kinds of comments and questions both from the young and the old. It is a wonderful interactive way to create." laughed Holton, "I especially love when someone asks me what the piece is about because every one of these works of art has meaning and some of the stories are not obvious. If you examine each painting there are things or people in the backgrounds that all have stories and ties to the area or certain people in my life and the life of the restaurant and its sister hotels."
If you are interested you can find Holton painting on most days during the lunch and dinner hours at Lucky 32.