Growing up in a small town of 2,000, I spent most of my time in the woods or fields, playing, and, as I grew older, working. I owned several horses and loved the out-of-doors. I enjoyed drawing and looking at all forms of art. However, I never actually went into a gallery until after I had become a professional artist. The artwork that I got to see was in the public library. During my first year in college, 1963, my art professor took us to a seminar on painting with acrylics. I loved the speed. However, I still liked the soft clouds and skin that could be achieved with oils.
I majored in Advertising Design, because I was not aware that one could actually make a living as a "fine artist." I worked for several years as a commercial artist doing newspaper and catalog layouts. After serving in the Army, my wife and I moved to North Carolina, where I did line drawings for the "Yellow Pages." I thought I had found Heaven, when I went to work painting architectural renderings. I was getting paid to paint. When that company went bankrupt, it was devastating. After that, I went to work for two furniture photography companies, always doing illustrations, whenever I could.
In 1976, I actually got angry with myself, because I was not living up to my potential. At that point, I made a decision to paint in a more serious way, and to truly challenge myself, more than I had done before. Not very long after that, a group called "Artist Touring Association" asked me to join them. An opportunity arose to become a full-time, professional artist. To my surprise, my wife agreed, and we began a totally new life. It was hard. It was with this group, however, that my real education began. We toured with them for two years. We were very fortunate to be able to work with some wonderful artists, who helped me develop.
Several artists have inspired me. Because of his availability to a young boy, and for the excitement he transmitted in his work, N.C. Wyeth was probably my first major influence. Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Alphonse Maria Mucha, Maxfield Parrish, Frank Frazetta, Tom Lovell, and others have all had an influence on my artwork. Until I was in college, there was no real art instruction available. Realism was nowhere to be found. Therefore, almost all that I have learned has been self-taught.
If I were forced to put a name to the way I paint, it would have to be "romantic realism." However, if one studies my work, it would be discovered that a large portion of what I do is impressionistic, with, somewhat, realistic areas. I have been told by several of my collectors, that my work is easily recognizable. They may, at first, see similarities to Thomas Moran, or another of my influences; but after having seen several of my pieces, they tell me that my style is unmistakable.
My artwork never stops evolving, for the better, I hope. I do believe that it has been consistent and I have a style that is recognizably mine. Although I cannot help but be influenced by what I have encountered, when I paint, I just try to do the best that I can. This is where imagination and originality are really important. I do not want to paint like Frank Frazetta or Maxfield Parrish, or Vincent Van Gogh, or like anyone else. One Van Gogh is enough. My style is undeniably my own.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Going Home
It seems just as I get going on an interesting project, one thing after another seems to crop up and derail my momentum. But, I guess that is life. At least, it has been my life. Our house is in major turmoil, with renovations. On Friday, Hermon decided that we needed to make a place in my kitchen for a new stove, long overdue! So he and our handyman, Dave, turned my kitchen upside down and inside out, removing cook top, wall oven, then ancient water heater. (Hot water on Demand water heaters are wonderful, by the way.) So now I can use that space for a pantry. My stove comes in the morning sometime. What a mess! Not that the rest of my house is completed either, but the time was right to do this. So what am I going to do to help this ongoing renovation? I am going to visit my family in Mississippi! My Uncle Dave, at 84, has been ill for a while now, and I am worried about him. I need to see him and to be with the rest of the family. We have all been very close and have spent lots of time together, all my life. A visit with family is good for the soul. It is refreshing to my spirit to see them and to enjoy the unconditional love they have always shown me. I am excited to go.
I hope something looks better when I return, or I may just turn around and go back!!
So now for my little blog, I will fill in as I can over the next few days before I leave on September 9th. I will return on the 19th. Then I will be able to concentrate on the project at hand. Please bear with me. Thank you for those of you who are following this. Best wishes, Sheila Adams
I hope something looks better when I return, or I may just turn around and go back!!
So now for my little blog, I will fill in as I can over the next few days before I leave on September 9th. I will return on the 19th. Then I will be able to concentrate on the project at hand. Please bear with me. Thank you for those of you who are following this. Best wishes, Sheila Adams
Monday, August 31, 2009
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
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
Friday, August 28, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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.
Monday, August 17, 2009
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
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
Saturday, August 15, 2009
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.
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