When you ask someone how long they've been drawing, and their answer is "forever," or "since I can remember," chances are, their work is going to reflect that time frame. For 17-year-old artist, Ian Lowry, "since I can remember" may not be a very long time, but proves to be long enough for a wonderful artist to flourish.

"People are usually surprised when they hear how old I am," says Lowry with a laugh.

Brett A. Clark/The Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

At 17, Ian Lowry is the youngest artist in the three-person show this month at Red Rabbit Gallery. His work concentrates on his love of architecture and historical structures.

This month, viewers throughout the Albemarle area will have the opportunity to view the works of three talented artists, including Lowry. Friday night, artists Donna Higgins Colson, Shannon Anderson, and Ian Lowry will kick off their art show at the Red Rabbit Art Gallery in downtown Elizabeth City, with a reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The artist and owner behind Red Rabbit Art Gallery, Dru Thompson, is looking forward to a good public response because the variety in this show ensures that there will be something that every viewer will enjoy.

"These are three completely different mediums and artists, and it is all very high quality work," says Thompson.

Thompson says that Anderson creates beautiful graphics by using pastels in different ways. Colson, who is an art teacher in Perquimans County, and already has quite a big fan-base, paints in oil. And Lowry creates amazing architectural drawings.

While Thompson believes that every artist she hosts in the gallery is an inspiration to her, Lowry in particular stood out when he came in to the gallery with a sampling of his work.

"He is a young man with such great talent. It is very inspiring to see that he already knows what he wants to do in life," says an obviously taken-aback Thompson.

Lowry's drawings consist of intricate run down farmhouses, sophisticated churches, and in-depth courthouses, drawn from unusual angular perspectives. And on somewhat of a mission to preserve the heritage in the area, each drawing Lowry creates is of an older building in the Albemarle region. But when real-estate agents began approaching him recently, Lowry added another series of buildings to his repertoire, of the newer sort.

"I didn't begin drawing professionally until I was 15," says Lowry.

At just 15-years old, Lowry had to begin creating business cards for customers who were in pursuit of his drawings for their real estate businesses, or as wedding gifts.

Surprisingly, Lowry has taken no more than a few art classes, and a few short art lessons through grade school, so his in-demand, architectural precision is almost completely self-taught. And perhaps more surprisingly, each of his drawings takes a mere two days to one week to complete; and he credits his successful work strictly to his passion for the subject.

"Some people like cars or motorcycles; I just like architecture. If I had the money to make films about it, or if I had the ability to write about it, I would do that, but drawing is my form of expression," says Lowry confidently.

Lowry is excited about exhibiting his hobby at his first art show this month, and says that he is preparing new drawings every day as well as inexpensive prints, for customers at the show. He just hopes that he can squeeze in six or more pieces for the show.

Currently a sophomore at College of the Albemarle, Lowry has begun looking at looking at architectural colleges to transfer to such as UNC Greensboro, Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, and Saint Augustine College in Florida to pursue architectural restoration, but he doesn't seem to be worrying too much about his future.

"I'm comfortable. If architecture doesn't work out, I've got drawing to fall back on," says Lowry as modestly as possible.

Thompson says that the artists she hosts in her gallery like Colson, Anderson, and Lowry, live up to, and even surpass the vision she started her business with in 2003.

"I've been an artist for a long time, so I wanted a place to show my art and for other artists to show theirs also. I wanted a variety of high quality art that I would enjoy if I were to visit any gallery," says Thompson.

And though she did start with the idea that she would like to be an asset to the community, Thompson didn't imagine just how much of an asset she would end up being. She now works with her customers to provide an easy way to purchase a piece of art that they will cherish, she invites ECSU students to come in for their Art Appreciation classes, and she provides painting classes for the community.

"I feel like I have an outreach into the community with this business, and I have been well supported. It's exciting when you discover that people are interested in art," Thompson says with enthusiasm.