A Time Line of Events-Childhood-Education

For clarification, I thought, perhaps, a time-line would enable my reader to get more of a grasp of the journey of this artist, Hermon Adams.

Childhood-Age Fifteen: Hermon received his first paints at a very early age, and does not recall a time when he did not draw or paint. He was a night owl and filled his nights with his favorite snack: sweet pickles, cheese, bread, and milk along with reading the encyclopedia. He gained a vast knowledge doing that, but was most interested in mythology. His grandmother, Mary Gillespie, an avid reader, told Hermon and his sisters wonderful stories that helped stretch his imagination. Hermon also had a love for horses and sold his first painting of horses, running through the water, at age 15. By that time, he had worked summers on the Prassle Dude Ranch in Raymond. He also trained horses at a ranch in Teague, Texas. He has a working knowlege of the horses anatomy from these early experiences.

Education: There were no art classes in high school. But that didn't stop Hermon from doing what he loved. His buddies, would gather at his house and watch him paint and draw. Then everyone put in his two cents and critiqued what Hermon had done. (The painting that I remember, when his den was filled with his friends and family, was of Tarzan climbing a huge tree. It was a commissioned piece for his friend he called "Perkins." Hermon did a self-portrait as Tarzan's face. It was quite novel. Apparently, Tarzan was Perkins' hero, and he was known for wearing his leopard bathing suit, while swinging through the trees giving a fantastic Tarzan yell!)
Hinds County (Junior) Community College: Hermon studied painting and art history, and had good guidance and encouragement from his teachers, in particular Mr. Walsh.
University of Southern Mississippi: Hermon studied sculpture there and the other required subjects to get his Fine Arts Degree in Advertising Design. While at Southern, Hinds did a show for Hermon in Raymond. He had several pieces of sculpture in various mediums, including plaster cast-Andrew Jackson bust; built-up plaster-a horse; cast cement-a stylized Greek sentry, "The Sentinel;" and a free-form metal piece that looked like a large clam. Some of his paintings were also abstract, because that is what his professors at Southern taught. "Chaos" was a rather large piece with shades of burnt umber, reds and oranges in geometric shapes. Hermon's next door neighbors bought this piece for their den. "The Apartment" looked like lit-up windows in a long and narrow taupe building. Hermon's sister, Mary, liked that piece so much, that he gave it to her. Hermon's showing was written up in the local newspaper.
While at Southern, Hermon worked a full quarter, day and night, on his Senior project, doing several extensive book illustration projects. Using photography, with his sister, Pattie, himself, and me as models, he did mock-ups of five book covers for Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars Series, framing the books in a nice display. (That is another whole story in itself.) He did a black and white painting of a horse-drawn chariot pulling Hector behind, and printed it for the book cover for the classic, The Illiad. Hermon did a series of stylized pen and inks of the book's major points, and using a two-color press, printed several copies of a sample page. The drawings had been done on heavy poster board and made a very nice series of paintings, which we displayed in our house for several years. They remind me of the work seen on urns from legendary times of Greek and Roman figures. Last but not least, Hermon drew a series of illustrations for a children's version of The Illiad. It was the most professional looking of the displays of the Senior projects in the art department. Hermon made a "C" on his project, while a classmate did a map of the state of Mississippi and its products! She had done it the night before and she received an "A!" Her display was completely unprofessional and somewhat sloppy looking. What an injustice! There was no comparison whatsoever. I tried to convince Hermon to go to the Dean and appeal his grade. But he wouldn't do it. He said it didn't matter what his grade was; he knew that what he had done was far and away better than anything there. He had put his all into it and that was enough for him. He also recognized the criteria for the project grading system; he didn't have "boobs!"
Wedding, Temp Jobs, and the Army: This will be my next blog, along with some photos of older pieces of interest. Have a great evening. Sheila

Who Is Bob Timberlake Anyway?

While living in Winston-Salem, NC, back in 1973, Bob Timberlake, North Carolina artist was quite the successful artist of the area. While showing at a small art show in High Point, NC, someone said to Hermon, "I can do that." Hermon thought to himself, "but you're not." The only thing standing in Hermon's way of becoming a successful artist, was just doing it. That is what Bob Timberlake was doing; he was painting. His work was mostly of the Americana genre, which was quite popular at the time. He had been a great fan of Andrew Wyeth and was fortunate enough to have encouragement from his favorite artist. Mr. Timberlake's work was accepted in well-known galleries in New York and in Washington, D.C., where he had sold-out shows and an instant following.
Hermon did not have that kind of luck, but he had a passion, a talent, a determination, and an imagination that would take hold and drive him to overcome all obstacles before him in pursuit of his dream of becoming a famous artist. His parents were supportive and encouraged Hermon, but were not convinced that one could make a living as an artist, except within the boundaries of commercial art. Hermon gives credit to only one teacher for actually teaching him something in art, and that was Mr. Walsh at Hinds County Junior (Community) College in Hermon's hometown of Raymond, MS. At Southern Mississippi, his professors told him that he could not draw! The only artwork Hermon ever witnessed that they did was painting a canvas black or white and putting a red bow on it, or doing a sculptured table of nothing but boobs! Could they draw? Hmm-m-m-m! I will let you be the judge of that!
In spite of all those things, Hermon decided he had to become a full-time professional artist. He would make it work! He spent a great deal of time on each painting, creating a very nice collection of thirteen paintings for his first show in Asheville, NC. I can only remember a few of those; one was a blacksmith shop, inspired by his hometown blacksmith. The painting called "Cathy's Cat," had won a ribbon at the small show in High Point; one was a mill and stream, overgrown with folliage; and "The Bishop's Chair," a scene from the Episcopal church, where his parents were married.
As it turned out, "Cathy's Cat" was the first to sell, then Albritton's Blacksmith Shop. We kept the mill stream. Hermon's mother could not let "The Bishop's Chair" leave Raymond. We could not afford to give it to her, so she bought it and hung in her library until 2001, when she passed away and left it to Hermon. It has a prominent place in our home, where we enjoy it every day.

Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn

This painting is a commissioned piece for a prominent business woman in New York. Her company is Aurora Electric. Hermon was excited at the prospect of doing this painting, because he really gets into the fantasy story and all the details of costuming, site, props,etc. It took quite a while to find just the right model and,in fact, used a couple of different ones before the right one was chosen by the owner. Our model was perfect; her hair like spun gold-unbelievable! The photo shoots began daily at dawn and again at sunset, so the lighting would be perfect. I did make-up, hair, costume, and assisted with other needs. Hermon took lots and lots of photos to get just the perfect one. We actually set up a black fencing around our yard for privacy. It was fun and exciting. There were many wonderful shots, but the one that made the cut, we think was perfect for the painting. Aurora is opening the gates of the dawn.

Hermon is putting the finishing borders on the edges. There are eight sides to the canvas, each with a distinctive border. The filigree designs depict shapes one associates with heavenly bodies. Because it is somewhat repetitive, that has been the most tedious project for Hermon in the entire commission. I have grown very attached to this piece; when it goes to its home, it will leave an huge empty spot in the studio, and in my heart. The entire project has been a delightful experience, that I consider a highlight in our lives. Our client has been exceptional to work with.

Why did my photos post at the very bottom?

Well, I guess you found out that my photos of Hermon's work didn 't post just under the last session. They went all the way to the very bottom of all I have written. Just wanted to tell you, in case you haven't looked there yet.
It is late to begin anything new today, so I will not try. I will tell you that I am going out of town for a few days and may not have a chance to post for a few days. Hermon and I need to gather a few older photos from the early days and plan the next story. Be back soon. Sheila Adams

Fast Forward

Hermon asked me to post the originals that are available so you could get an idea of what he has been doing for the past couple of years. Some of these have been purchased. Others are showing in Studio-W Gallery in Ruidoso, NM. We are so happy to have Wayne Usery representing Hermon's work. We met at the Ruidoso Art Festival in July 2009. It turns out that Wayne has been following Hermon's career over the years and is excited about having his work. Well, we are excited that he is excited! This is not all of Hermon's available pieces. As I have photos, I will post them.

I never realized how going back all those years to the major turning points in our life together would be such an energy zapper. Nice memories. Difficult choices. New adventures. Totally stepping out on faith. Challenging times, good times, bad times. Glad we lived through them and our marriage survived, our family unite survived and has remained strong through it all. It has been said, "There is a fine line between 'faith and stupidity.'" So one can accept either, I guess, but I chose the faith-faith in God, in Hermon, and in myself. It is very clear to me.

Hope you enjoy the photos of paintings by Hermon Adams.

Hermon Adams/The Way West August 14, 2009

During the time we toured, Hermon's style of painting was becoming more consistent. He painted various subject matter, including Americana, fantasy to include the ever popular unicorn & space paintings, Native American and wildlife. His horses were fanciful and striking. Hermon really had a grasp of the horse's anatomy. Each time he painted a unicorn, it sold immediately for $85. Once he had painted a black horse bust that went to many shows with us, but would not sell. One of the artists, Francisco, said, as he walked by our display, " Paint a horn on him, Hermon, and he will sell." That is just what he did. So Hemon painted a golden eye and horn on the horse; as soon as he did, a man named Einehorn (German for One Horn) bought it! We were amazed. It seemed he had a magic formula for a sure sale now! That was very exciting!

It was really expensive travelling to the art shows. Not only were there travelling expenses and camping, we had business expenses of show fees, painting materials, display, lighting, frames, ect., on top of normal everyday bills and expenses that everyone has in life. The work was physically hard with all the loading, unloading carrying, putting together a display, with each space being different,framing and hanging the artwork, the long travel time, and set-up time after mall hours. The show would begin the following morning and stay open until the mall closed at 10pm each evening. (It is a good thing we were young. Hermon and I just did a huge show in Ruidoso, NM last month, and it took us two weeks to recover!) When I look back, I honestly don't know how we managed to do it. Hermon was on a mission. I was his sidekick. And we had some great company. Everyone was in the same boat. Everyone looked after one another. We became lifelong friends with a few of the artists and still keep in touch. We had a travelling neighborhood of families, couples, singles, young and old. So it was not lonely or boring.

When it was time for Jim and I to stop travelling and have our baby, the entire group of over fifty people gave me a surprise baby shower to match all baby showers. A meeting had been called, and unbeknownst to me, they had put together this event, refreshments and a conference table piled high with beautifully wrapped packages for our new baby. When we arrived and I realized what this was all about, I turned to Hermon and just cried. All these wonderful people had touched our lives in a special way. I was totally overwhelmed. There was no expense spared; each gift was unbelievable. It was one of the most memorable times of my life! And to get 50+ artists out of bed and to a meeting the morning after we closed down a show! WOW! Were we impressed! It makes me smile to this very day. We went to Auburn, AL, where my folks had rented an apartment for Jim and I to live while Hermon continued his travels. We enjoyed our time near the family. When Baby Robert arrived, August 27, 1978, Hermon called ATA, the Artist Touring Association to tell them and they announced it over the mall loud speaker.

After having discussed the best direction to take the family and career, Hermon decided that we needed to return to Raymond, MS and set up shop in his Dad's old law office down the street from his mother's home. We lived there and ran the studio with baby in playpen and Jim in Kindergarten, until we found a place of our own.

With one hurdle after another, and selling his artwork too cheaply, Hermon decided to spend more time on each painting and raise the prices to reach another clientel. He had also developed a system to mass produce, by hand, his Indian portraits on leather. Some were round with rope and feathers, some were hangings with leather straps, feathers and turquiose embellishment. Hermon and I did the handwork on each piece. We had started our reproduction business on the word of a distributor from Minnesota, who promised to buy all we could make. After a hefty investment, he renegued on our agreement. We had done a Christmas Show in Birmingham, AL, where Hermon's work was very well received and his best works sold. We made several thousand dollars at that show. We took the leather Indians, as we called them, to the Atlanta New Products Market. We didn't have success with that. We did a prestigeous art show in Winston-Salem, NC. No sales. The last ditch effort was a rodeo in New Orleans, where our trailer got stuck in a bog for two days. Our two boys had a great time at the rodeo, but all the customers wanted was a beer and a cowboy hat. In the spring of 1980, every single plan that we had made, fell through one by one. How discourage we were. After much deliberation,planning,and expense, with little return, we packed up our business and our home and left Raymond for a journey west.

Hermon Adams, Artist~The Early Years

Who is Hermon Adams?  Where did he get his start as a fine artist?  Where is Hermon today?  The following story will tell of some Hermon's experiences and the obstacles he has overcome to keep on his path.  Each day, I will relay stories from the past and when I figure it out, I will post photos of interest. I am Hermon's wife, Sheila, of forty-one years and his biggest fan, along with sons, Jim & Rob, and his newest fans Brooke, Rob's wife, and Corban Adams, age 3.
      Hermon Adams is a self-taught fine artist who paints in a romantic, realism style.  Painting horses, Native Americans, wildlife, landscapes, and fantasy that draws you into his world to tell the stories the artwork reveals. No one can teach what he can do.  Hermon says the imagination is the key to the talent.  Hard work and painting every day is the way to learn to paint the image.
              
While living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, before Hermon went on the road with the Artist Touring Association, he worked as Art Director for a photographic studio that put out catalogs for the furniture market.  Hermon had been under a great amount of stress that year, because the Monday after having closed the loan on our new house the Friday before, Hermon had been fired from the job doing architectural renderings that took us from Charlotte to Winston-Salem. His boss had waited until Hermon had completed the last rendering he had on the easel, before he sent someone else to inform Hermon that they would no longer be needing his services.  We had just moved into the house over the weekend.  I will never forget the look on Hermon's face when he greeted me that afternoon!  He turned ashen and had a look of total terror on his face.  The whole situation sent terror into our hearts.  Our baby was five months old and I wasn't working.
                  Hermon went to an employment agency, then to a placement bureau, creating a job for himself placing artists.  He then found his job at Aldermann Studios, the largest photographic studio in the world.  They made the Sears catalog, along with other catalogs for the furniture market.While beginning at Alderman Studios in High Point, he had trained for something called "cut and but stripping."  I wasn't certain that I wanted him to go to Chicago for two weeks to learn to do this.  It sounded almost obscene!  But, as it turned out, he was the only one who could do it and it was in high demand.  (Actually, it was an advertising term used in fusing two images to seem as one.) Hermon was the best man for the job. 

Meanwhile, I wrapped up the baby and went to the first school I could find.  I had a meeting with the principal and told her of our problem.  She was wonderful and put me to work right away, doing office work.  Then onto the classroom as a substitute.  She called around and found a second grade teaching position in Rural Hall, 15 miles away.  I started the job the following January. I loved my job and taught there for five years.
                      
 Hermon bought a motorcycle for the 45-mile, twice daily trip back and forth from Winston to High Point.  One afternoon, it came a downpour!  Hermon had no rain gear.  The lady that worked with him, Kathy, was recruited into one of Hermon's quick-fix ideas.  They  took visquene, cut it into a body suit to be taped with silver duct tape.  Hermon was lying on the floor, spread eagle, while Kathy was dutifully taping the crotch area, when who should walk in but the big boss!  Try explaining that one!  Kathy was horrified.  The poor girl.  (Years later, she applauded me for having lasted so long and getting sucked into Hermon's endless schemes.)

We learned many lessons during our early years.  We both worked hard to better ourselves and to keep our family healthy, happy and prosperous.  Hermon had a big dream of becoming a famous  artist.  I wanted to be part of his dream and keep my dream alive, that of being a good wife, mother, and partner to the love of my life. 

Today, we live in Prescott, AZ, have seen both sons complete school, find honorable careers, and one has begun a family of his own.  Hermon has done many things that have made his artwork known all over the world.  He has to his credit over forty-eight sold-out limited edition lithographs of his artwork.  He has had licensing agreements wth the Franklin Mint and Bradford Exchange for collector plates, Leanin'Tree & Tree Free for greeting cards, Hasbro for Milton Bradley puzzles, western book covers, calendars, tee shirts from The Mountain, and various and sundry small items of interest.  His collectors  include Raymond James Financial CEO, hotel magnate Richard Kessler, the Roy Rodgers family, Burt Reynolds and the crown prince of Jordan, Ambassador to the United States.  His paintings hang in several museums, banks, board rooms, and corporate offices. 
                        

Hermon Adams

Western subjects, landscapes, Native Americans, cowboys, horses, fantasy, and wildlife are Hermon's primary subject matter. According to Hermon, "The important things in a painting are beauty, light, depth, and meaning." He accomplishes this in each of his paintings, creating a style that is unmistakably his own.

Hermon was born on September 14, 1945, in Raymond, Mississippi. He began painting at a very early age, selling his first painting by the age of 15. Hermon's artwork, especially the horses, reflects the influences growing up with and training horses, working on his family's cattle farm and on ranches, close by, and in Texas. Hermon received an Associates Degree from Hinds Community College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1968.

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Sheila Adams, Hermon's wife of forty-one years. I will be telling Hermon's story for him, along with some of my input. Hermon asked me to do this for him, while he spends his time doing what he does best, telling his stories in oils and acrylics on canvas. So bear with me and I think you will enjoy some of the interesting adventures that he has had in his journey of life as an artist.

We married right out of college, I graduated with a BS degree in Elementary Education. At that time, there were only about 3 degrees for women: nursing, teaching, office management. So I became an elementary teacher, which I truly loved. However, had I known I would be in charge of everything other than painting in a small business, I would have taken bookkeeping and office management. Oh, well. My journey has been no less exciting than Hermon's.

Hermon served two years in the Army, after which he worked for several years in commercial art, before beginning painting full time in 1977. He began touring with Artist Touring Association , a group of travelling artists who sold their artwork in malls, following the sun back east, from Miami in Jan. to Maine in July and back again. That in itself was a true adventure. Hermon took 13 paintings to Ashville, NC in a U-haul trailer pulled by his MGB. He was accused of being the only artist who brought his own garage. He stayed in a motel there for the first show. When his expenses were more than his income at that first show, Hermon knew he must cut costs. He slept in the trailer. Jim, four, and I joined him in the summer. Hermon had bought a 1955 Dodge Openroad overhead camper, that sort of leaned to one side. It had a potty, kitchen, sofa, table, refridgerator, double bed in the cabover, a little heater, no hot water heater, but we had our own patio! It was quite the sight to see. But we thought it was fun, except for the no hot water! We went to Binghamton, Albany, and Buffalo, NY that summer. Some of the shows lasted for ten days. Set up was always after the mall closed and we would not get finished until way after midnight. Afterward, some of us met at Denny's for supper. We met some wonderful other artists and quickly made friends. When school began once more, Jim and I went home and Hermon continued to travel, being on the road for several weeks at the time. That was a trying time for all of us. Hermon sacrificed in so many ways in order to send money home to help with the bills, sometimes not eating for days. Jim missed his Daddy so much that it hurt and he acted out and cried a lot. And so did I. It was difficult to keep things going at home and at school by myself. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Jim went to daycare while I was at school. It all made for long days. Nothing could replace Hermon at home.

Hermon Adams Artist Life and Works

HERMON ADAMS

Western subjects, landscapes, Native Americans, cowboys, horses, fantasy, and wildlife are Hermon's primary subject matter. According to Hermon, "the important things in a painting are beauty, light, depth and meaning." He accomplishes this in each of his paintings, creating a style that is unmistakably his own.

(Let me introduce myself, I am Sheila Adams, the artist's wife of forty-one years. I will be the author of this blog, so that Hermon can tend to his best and foremost calling in life, creating stories through his glorious paintings. I am certain that he will definitely have plenty of input. No doubt, especially since it is about him. And we wouldn't want you to be disappointed that he isn't writing it. Trust me, this works best for us. Otherwise, there would be no blog!)

Hermon was born on September 14, 1945 in Raymond, Mississippi. He began painting at a very early age, selling his first painting by the age of 15. Hermon's arwork, especially the horses, reflects the influence growing up with and training horses, working on his family cattle farm and on ranches, close by and in Texas. Hermon received an Associates Degree from Hinds Community College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1968.

Hermon married Sheila Diane Hembree, and with an interruption of two years serving in the Army, he worked for several years in commercial art, before beginning painting full time in 1977.

Hermon followed his heart west in 1981, settling with his wife, Sheila, and their two sons, Jim and Rob, in Prescott, Arizona in 1984. (We had spent those "missing years" summers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, winters in Wickenburg, AZ and Mesa, AZ on great adventures; we will elaborate upon at a later time.)

The artist began his own publishing company in 1988, and currently has 48 sold-out limited edition edition lithographs to his credit. Hermon has proven to be one of the Franklin Mint's best-selling plate artists. He has had his images produced on Landmark Calendars, on Max Brand paperback books from Leisure Books, and on playing cards, magnets, and mugs. Hermon's images can be found on Leanin' Tree greeting cards, Candimar Designs on cross stitch, on MIlton Bradley puzzles, and on collector plates from the Bradfor Exchange, the Mountain tee shirt company and on Tree Free greeting cards.

Hermon has lectured for various art groups and colleges. His award winning artwork is currently displayed in galleries throughout the United States and abroad. Hermon's originals are in the collections of financier Raymond James, actors Burt Reynolds and Chuck Norris, hotel magnate, Richard Kessler, the Roy Rogers family, and many other prominent collectors.

Hermon paintings and reproductions have proven to appreciate in value, in addition to the beauty and inspiration each piece can bring to itw owner for years to come. ( from Hermon's Biography)

About ten years ago, Hermon invested in a Roland Archival Printer, along with a Mac computer, named "Big Bertha," began his journey into self publishing using Photoshop. (I must give credit to two of our dearest friends who made all this possible: Alissa Harvey and Don Teale.) Hermon spent the next year experimenting and teaching himself everything he knows about photoshop. (Not only can the man paint like no one else, he is a master of photoshop, as well.)He produces his own gicle`es (a reproduced image using archival, pigmented inks of longevity) on canvas and has recently introduced his photographs on canvas.