Artist Michael Ballew holds one of the paintings he has on display at Hartselle Fine Arts Center. | Clif Knight

Michael Ballew, a Hartselle native, and Forrest Long, a native Nova Scotian, are Hartselle Fine Arts Center’s Artists of the Month for February.

Their paintings are now on display in the lobby of the center and will remain there for public viewing through next month.

Ballew is well known locally as director and art teacher of Camp “Art”-selle, a summer youth program that teaches painting, dancing, acting and music. He is also a senior partner in an executive recruiting firm located in Birmingham.

A former student of Hartselle artist Gayle Strider, Ballew has painted professionally for the past 15 years. He specializes in mixed media paintings with subjects ranging from abstract to southern folk.

Ballew has entered his paintings in juried art shows in the southeastern U.S. and currently has his work displayed at Kathleen’s Gallery in Decatur and Third Street Promenade in Huntsville. He also paints on consignment.

He and his wife, Wendy, reside in Hartselle. They have three children, ages 15,13 and 10.