As a recent graduate of Pinecrest High School, Kevin Bass came to Sandhills Community College in 1998.

Now he returns to the college as a successful artist to exhibit pieces from his stunning body of work in a show that opens on Thursday, Sept. 6, with a reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Hastings Gallery in the Katharine L. Boyd Library.

“Studying at Sandhills was a stepping stone for me, that’s for sure, helping me to discover what I wanted to do with my life,” Bass says. “I took fine art classes and, with wonderful guidance from professors Denise Baker and Cliff Stuckey, I discovered what I was meant to do.”

Bass used his credits from Sandhills to apply toward a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Appalachian State University in 2003.

“For me to even be admitted, multiple professors went through my portfolio,” he recalls. “Because of my work at Sandhills, my portfolio helped me make it into the program.”

Now Bass returns to the Sandhills campus to exhibit two different genres of work. Some of the pieces are from his North Carolina series, impressionistic work focusing on scenery around the state.

“My other body of work is newer and one of complete abstraction,” he says. “It is my ‘Palette Series.’”

He says the concept was derived from scraping off paint from his palette.

“I noticed there was a great harmony of color and texture so I started to explore this,” he says. “By taking images of what I saw and deleting the unnecessary, it led me in a new direction. The work is a combination of layer upon layer that is scraped off. I then go back and add text, which I go back and remove as well. The work is vibrant and free-flowing with the intent to engage the viewer.

“My art keeps evolving through the use of color and composition,” adds Bass, whose career has included professional work in graphic design. “Exploring these elements has engaged me further in my journey.”

Bass’ art is in the collections of individual buyers and corporate clients. His work has been displayed at the Wake County Commissioners’ Office in Raleigh as part of the United Arts Council. He was featured as an exhibiting artist in the 2012 “For The Love of Art” Auction and Gala at the Visual Art Exchange and as a 2011 exhibiting artist in the “Works of Heart” show.

He also participated in the 2005 invitational Moore County Arts Festival in Southern Pines. Numerous businesses in North Carolina have also displayed his work.

This talented painter has advice for young artists entering college:

“Find local artists and show them your work to get feedback,” he recommends. “Ask them questions. Visit galleries to see what’s out there. Find the art community within your college and become part of it. You may have a lot of talent, but you have to take it to the next level.”

The work of Kevin Bass will be displayed through Oct. 5. Admission to the Hastings Gallery is free and open to the public during regular library hours, Monday through Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

More information on Kevin Bass can be found at the website www.kevinbassart.com.