A Stroke of Green-ius
Yup, there is a job for everything. Meet Cassy Tully, a golf artist and philanthropist. Cassy travels the world to different golf courses mixing sculpting techniques with modern painting to create 3D, textured course portraits. She does a mix of studio painting and live painting at events. Originally from Wisconsin, the artist relocated to the Pinehurst area earlier this year. And yes, her golf game has gotten better since living in the pines.
How did the niche subject take off? Because of sheep. Although she has a fine arts degree and even studied in Italy, Cassy didn’t start painting golf courses until clients saw her paintings of the sheep on Whistling Straits, a destination course in Wisconsin. She has since partnered with PGA of America, PGA Hope and many other courses, member-guest events and charities. “As much as this type of work is being creative, you also have to be a business person and networker,” says Cassy, who travels multiple times a month for work.
“As much as this type of work is being creative, you also have to be a business person and networker,” says Cassy. Though she has cut back since moving to Pinehurst, the artist still travels at least twice a month to different events including charity tournaments, member-guest weekends and more. Despite being used to travel, the new area she calls home has made her feel right at home, “people are so nice here, it reminds me of the midwest,” says Cassy. She often rents dresses from local dress rental store Hazel & Grace for fancier events.
To Cassy, the fundraising portion of her work is her favorite part— a close second is the smell of opening a fresh canvas. Her original pieces are all made with real sand from the course she’s painting but she also sells prints.
As her price point has grown, she’s added smaller pieces with more accessible price points, like hand-painted ornaments. This year’s is in collaboration with Pine Scone Cafe and includes the cafe’s logo.
So where can you see her work? Cassy opened a studio in downtown Aberdeen. She shares the space with artists Cait and Frank Ciulla. “It’s been a blessing to have support and creative people around you,” says Cassy. The studio is open by appointment or chance. “If I’m here, I love for people to stop in,” says Cassy, “I like to paint up near the window. I like to lure people in with my creativity and not make it feel like a stuffy gallery,” she says.
The space is located at 110 N. Poplar St. “It gave me goosebumps,” says Cassy explaining that her first studio in Wisconsin was 10 minutes from a destination golf course and next to a wine bar— exactly like the current space which is next to The Village Wine Shop Aberdeen. Stop in for the grand opening of Cassy Tully Fine Art this Saturday, Nov. 16, 3-5 p.m. Get a look at the gallery plus enjoy refreshments and a raffle.
