Spencer Huffman of Pixelated Perceptions

The 2010 Aroma of Art auction features several wonderful photographers in our area. Spencer Huffman of Pixelated Perceptions is our latest artist to be interviewed for the blog. He will be exhibiting some of his work this summer at the McColl Center of Visual Art in Charlotte.

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

Well, from a very young age I've always loved art and been drawn to it. It all started back in elementary school when I would sit around drawing constantly.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

If my art has any effect on people then at the very least I would hope that it just makes them think, or makes them feel something on some level. Most of my work focuses on things that people may otherwise overlook or deem as unsightly. I find beauty in the unconventional places and often find myself drawn towards old structures that have a real sense of history about them.

What drew you to your particular medium?

I got started with photography just out of a need to created something a little different. Before I picked up the camera I was painting a lot but found myself often times unable to convey my thoughts in a real tangible way. When I picked up the camera it felt much more natural and I feel that I'm able to better bring across my ideas that way.

Who were your mentors/inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

I think every piece of art, and every person that I have interacted with on a real level has influenced me in some way. Life is like that. Our experiences shape us and make us the people we are. My friend Moye, who is a photographer in Charlotte, was a big influence when I was just finding my niche in this art form. She just exudes a very positive and creative vibe and her talent is just unreal.

What was your first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

To be honest I can't even really remember what my first piece of art was. I have done so much that it's hard to keep track of that. I'm sure it was a drawing that I did, just trying to get thoughts or images from my mind out into the world.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I really like shooting fine are photos and getting out there and finding new locations that entice my eyes. I also enjoy working with models because that brings a whole new set of challenges and possibilities into the mix. If you and the person you are working with are on the same page then you can really create some powerful images.

What are you working on right now?

Right now I'm just creating, enjoying, and learning. I try to get out and shoot as much as I can. I feel like being creative helps bring some sort of balance to my life. I am also going to be exhibiting some work at the McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte starting in July and I'm working on getting some pieces together for that.

Spencer Huffman's donation to Aroma of Art can be viewed and bid on now through March 4th at Taste Full Beans Coffee House in Hickory, NC.

Messing Around with Clay

David Bellar is an amazing potter. Here is a wonderful essay from him about his beginnings as a artist. Please take some time to visit his website to read more and view his one of a kind pieces.

"There have been many fun things to cross my path. Too many."

"One day, the opportunity to work casually with clay presented itself. "I can do that", I thought. I remember playing in the muddy muddy creek as a kid. I had also been exposed to a ceramic studio early in my life. There was very little mystery there. It all made such good sense so the approach was one of confidence. So it was a girlfriend who demanded that with my construction expertise, I should put together a space for her to pursue her new found interest in pottery. "Sure darlin', whatever you want." I have to admit, the hobby was a lot of fun. There were plenty of reasons to continue trying, learning, building and reaching until it occurred to me; I need to vent artistic. Who knew?"

"I knew nothing about it, not necessarily a bad thing. I started looking around. I recalled a certain piece my mother owned. A small plate with two lizards cozied up. I thought it was a masterpiece. I was inspired. I also had a vague idea of the work being done locally in clay. These were the forms I new, therefore the forms I would try to emulate. I see now that for all I have accomplished, laziness was truly my strong suit."

"Aside from keeping my inquisitive eyes open, making a probingpest out of myself, attending the odd master workshop and basically wanting to limit my failures, I have struggled to learn the medium all by myself. My "problem solving" attitude is a reliable ally. I figure I can do anything I want to do. Keyword..."want". I am sad for those who have allowed themselves to be defeated. Those who say they "want" yet deny themselves the experience mostly due to a learned version of fear."

"I am currently taking full advantage of the weak economy to take a break from pottery in favor of catching up on some long neglected chores. The building of a new and improved pottery studio with kiln as well as the development of a radical new design for a piece of studio pottery equipment heads the list."

"Life is short. Try it. Take it a day at a time. Keep a positive attitude. Control your fears. What's the worst that could happen?"

"More ramblings here....
www.potterycarolina.com"

David Bellar's work is currently up for auction for Aroma of Art at Taste Full Beans Coffee House in downtown Hickory, NC.

Maria Headrick of Mosaics by Maria

Maria Headrick, another of our delightful artist donors, is giving us a glimpse into the world of her artwork. See below her interview and view some pictures of her engaging mosaic pieces.

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

Ten years ago I found a book on Mosaics in the public library and instantly fell in love. I began making items for my home, then to give as gifts. I was part of an online community of mosaic artists and I began to sell hand cut stained glass tiles for use in mosaic work to other artists. The following year my online retail mosaic supply business was born - Mosaics By Maria .

I continue to create and sell my own art while providing other artists products and advice for their own mosaic work.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

I love how mosaic work refuses to be rushed. Every piece must be carefully chosen and laid. There is a meditative quality to mosaic work, you must get into a rhythm. I also fell in love with the variety of gals, mirror and tiles available to work with.

Who were your mentors/inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

Early in my career I was lucky enough to be mentored by Sonia King and Laurel Skye, two mosaic teachers who have since become revered in the mosaic world. They are both gifted teachers and have published books on mosaic techniques.

What was your first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

A mosaic mirror with an Egyptian design. I was inspired by a stained glass panel I had seen at an art show.

What are some of your favorite projects?

My favorite project to date is a mosaic guitar. I also love some of the birdbaths I have created. There is something wonderful about taking an ordinary object and making it into a piece of art!

What are you working on right now?

I am currently working on a series of 6" X 6" panels that are reminiscent of small tapestries or rugs. I am having fun trying new color and tile combinations and the challenge of working on such a small surface.

I recently opened a studio in the Harris Arcade, suite #103. We have a mosaic gallery, supplies and classes.

Please come and see Maria's work up for auction at Taste Full Beans Coffee House and Gallery.

The Art of Derfla

Another in our interviews with the donating artists to Aroma of Art - Kent Paulette, a.k.a. Derfla.

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

When I was really young I took art lessons here in Hickory with Beth Marvin. She helped ignite my creative spirit early on. Instead of a lemonade stand, my brother and I had an art stand where we sold our drawings. I continued to enjoy art throughout my elementary and high school years.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

I like to bring people's attention to how they feel on their darkest and brightest of days and how to reconcile the two. I paint at the intersection of love and suffering.

What drew you to your particular medium?

Living in Hickory I had the pleasure to see Andrew Thomason's paintings around town. I saw that he used oil paint to create a really thick texture and I decided to give it a try.

Who were your mentors/inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

I mainly find my inspiration from great thinkers in music and science. Early on, the beat generation turned me on to some wild ideas. I also enjoy reading books about theoretical physics and books on how our brains think and form consciousness. The one painter who has inspired me most is Brion Gysin. He was a friend of William S. Burroughs and together they cut-up words in order to cut-up reality itself.

What was your first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

The first painting on canvas that I did was near the end of high school. It's a cubism-inspired piece called "The Sex of Wrestlers". I was drawn to cubism thought my interest in theoretical physics. The two changed how I viewed space-time and our relation to it and to each other.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I always love to paint people best. I'm drawn to the strong emotions of love and suffering. As far as my technique, I am most pleased when I am able to give complete control over to a process that allows the painting to come to life organically.

What are you working on right now?

I've been experimenting with water-based mediums lately. It's been fun working with thin paints and letting them drip. This process creates a lot of movement and I've taken advantage of that by painting women dancing. Movement has always been a passion of mine so I'm pleased to find a medium that suits it so well.

The two paintings by Derfla pictured here and one other of his are up for auction at Taste Full Beans Coffee House through March 4, 2010.

Vickie Jo Franks

Vickie Jo Franks is a first time donor to Aroma of Art. She is a retired art teacher, having taught in several school districts for over 30 years. Her work is currently on display at the Gaston County Public Library in Gastonia, NC. Her work has been shown at the Hickory Museum of Art, Kathleen's Simply Irresistible Gallery in Tryon, the Sea and Sounds Gallery in Manteo, NC, the Cleveland County Memorial Library and Frame Masters Gallery in Shelby.

Vickie Jo uses recycled materials to create her folk are images. She has a deep reverence for nature and creation and her work is a reflection of her passion. The messages in her work reflect her sincere beliefs in human stewardship of our planet, promoting the spay and neuter of pets, rabies prevention awareness including World Rabies Day and the Alliance for Rabies Control and anti-littering campaigns. An article about her was recently published in the Charlotte Observer.

Below are her responses to our artist interview questions. We are proud to have her participation in Aroma of Art.

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

I grew up in a rural place in North Carolina and spent a lot of time outside. Being close to nature taught me an appreciation for animals , trees, rain, the beauty and wonder of small and large creation. My family was very resourceful and creative, making things with out hands and repairing broken things ourselves. We are a family of readers with many books and encyclopedias at our disposal, including the magazine "Popular Science". I participated in every art and craft event offered. The media I use reflects the positive influence of parents, community, especially women's craft and handwork, with an emphasis on the creative use of materials and appreciation of nature.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

The work I create will cause people to appreciate nature, enabling people to make past, present and future connections. When experiencing my work people will know the beauty and wonder of a leaf, a bird, a flower, a purple sky. People will understand that subduing the earth does not man destroying everything and each other.

Who were your mentors, inspiring artists, as you began to discover art?

Family and community members who were creative, resourceful and appreciated art and craft forms inspired me in my work. Native American potters and basket weavers were also an early influence. I am also inspired by cartoons, particularly the work of Charles Schulz and his story of early rejection. I appreciated the work of Jackson Pollack as a child and was disturbed by the attempts to discredit his work by showing that animals could paint like him. Later in the classroom I was inspired by the collage work of Romere Bearden who showed the artistic possibilities, even when conventional art supplies are limited.

What was the first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

Family trips to Washington DC to visit family were filled with visits to historical places. My cousin Mickey was an excellent artist. As a child of five I thought he was a genius. I decided to see if I could draw. I looked out the window, saw a fire truck and drew it.

What are some of your favorite projects?

My work is a reflection of my time spent connecting with nature in the garden. I use my work to encourage the community to participate in rabies reduction advocacy including World Rabies Day and the Alliance for Rabies Control. I also participate in the annual Great Back Yard Bird Count promoted by Cornell University. I also work on advocacy for wild horses in NC.

What are you working on right now?

I am completing some work in progress while continually scouting exhibition opportunities and marketing venues for my work. My husband, Ronnie, and I take road trips to find places around the state that are appreciative of folk art. I work on several pieces at a time. One piece, "God Bless America", a quilt/collage/assemblage piece I plan to have completed by May for the Hickory Museum of Art 9th Art on the Avenue.

Wolf Song Studios JW Baker

Another of our artists for Aroma of Art is JW Baker. Along with his wife Sandi baker, they run Wolf Song Studio, where they create their amazing portraits.

Below are JW's repsonses to our artist interview.

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

I started my career as a professional finger-painter at the age of 4 - things just sort of took off from there. I have since branched out into other mediums.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

Good art should evoke a reaction - ideally (from my perspective) it should be a positive reaction. I like to think of painting as storytelling in that as the Artist you seek to share a unique perspective to educate or make your audience aware of some aspect of your subject they may not have considered. For example, with the wildlife art, ideally it is to make the viewer consider the subject not as "just an animal" but rather as a fellow inhabitant of this Earth we both share.

What drew you to your particular medium? How did you get started in your medium?

That's difficult to answer in that I consider myself a "mixed media" artist. I combine acrylics and oils for effect, and use the airbrush and conventional paintbrushes, again for effect. Each lends itself uniquely to specific presentations. I originally started airbrushing because it lent itself well to working larger with greater ease and also it opened up the possibilities of putting art on unique substrates; the foremost of which for me personally was wearable art.

Who were your mentors/inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

I didn't have any mentors being a self-taught artist. My inspiration from other artists was initiallyu from the comic artists fo the day, formeost being Jack "The King" Kirby, Joe Kubert, Samuel J. Glanzman and Barry Windsor- Smith. Later inspirations would be Frank Frazetta, Roger Dean, Brian Froud and Alan Lee.

As I began to work as a full-time 'working artist" I was very fortunate to have two mentors in how to live and make your living as a working artist. Both of these individuals are friends and their work has been a great inspiration - Mike Segal and Dee Morris.

What was your first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

I can't specifially remember that "first piece of art". I suppose it would be those finger-paintings that I would consider my first artworks, as art has always been my best means of expressing myself, and I have been doing it for as long as I can remember. It's hard to remember a day that I wasn't doing something creative during some par (if not all) of the day.

What are some of your favorite projects?

Creating art to benefit the various wildlife rescue and rehab places over the years has always been rewarding. When I was in my early 20's I used to work for the City of Clearwater with a good friend of mine, and we donated our time and talents (he is an excellent musician and sound engineer) to benefit a summer theatre project for young people interested in theatre. I used to design the sets and he did all the stage lighting and sound - that was fun.

What are you working on right now?

Continuing on in my "artistic journey"...

Aroma of Art Artist Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio

For another in our series of interviews with our artist contributors, we posed some questions to Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio about his work.

What is your background and how did you get started in your medium?

I am a resident of Hickory, NC and I grew up in upholstered furniture manufacturing. I've spent a lot of time merchandising fabric and frame combinations for manufacturers and I still do so today. I started painting when I understood a project to pain the interior of a house. In doing so, there were many angles and niches in the walls to where I could contrast colors and more interest to them. During that same week, my daughter had a project to complete and we went to the craft store. There I saw an oil painting kit for 50% off. I purchased it, painted a tree by a stream and my daughter did not believe that I had painted it. I thought I was onto something and have been painting ever since.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

That you don't have to be pigeon holed into something everyone wants to think you are. With the freedom we have in America, we can be whoever we wish to be and express abilities and talents without fear of repression. This a gift, to be able to pursue what is fun and interesting.

What drew you to your particular medium?

I really enjoy oil paintings and oriental rugs. Trying to furnish your homes with these items can get expensive. I bought a few paintings and found I liked impressionistic landscapes. seascapes and buildings. I really studied the finished product of them and tried it on my own. I work primarily with oils but occasionally water color as well.

Who were your mentors and inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

Stephen Brooks, Joe Lafone, Elise Starnes, Toni Carlson and Kate Worm are people I know who are artists. These are great individuals who learned their craft over time and are very good at what they do. Some of them are people I grew up with and that gave me the confidence to try painting myself.

Andrew Braitman, Birger Sandzen, George Inness, Van Gogh, Monet and David McCraig are artists whose techniques I enjoy studying. I'm a self taught artist so I pick up techniques from current articles, magazines, the Internet and books that relate to painting.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I spend a lot of time in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Mountain landscapes and local scenes are what I enjoy painting the most, mostly outdoor settings with lots of color and heavy textures.

What are you working on right now?

I am working on two commissioned paintings, one of a fisherman in a boat on a lake and another of an old farm setting in Burnsville, NC.

Alex's work is currently on display at Taste Full Beans Coffee House