arlingtonvalib

Abstract Art

On exhibit at Central Branch Library, June 2017.

Artist Statement:

“Quiet the Mind and the Soul Will Speak” – Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

My path to uncovering my inner artist is rooted in this quote. When I allowed myself to be still and quiet, I tapped into a world that was calming, peaceful and spiritual. I became more aware of what truly feeds the soul; emotion, compassion, nature’s energy and the beauty that surrounds us.  As a result of that deep connection, my creative energy grew and made its way out of the shadows.  I literally felt a physical urge to paint — to put something on a canvas in bold strokes with vivid colors and not care about the outcome or the process. My journey into art continues to evolve, is exhilarating, and liberating. I paint for the joy of it and the shear need for creative expression, experimentation and outlet.  I am humbled when someone reacts strongly or positively to one of my paintings.  Thank you for viewing and taking time to explore my work.

Want to buy something you see on our walls? Artists contribute 20% of sales made during their exhibit to the Friends of the Arlington County Public Library, to help support Library programming.

PECULI-ART

On exhibit at Central Branch Library, June 2017.

Artist Statement:

Though a resident of the Arlington area, I grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia.

That was long ago when:  The circus elephants would walk down our street on the way to the fairgrounds; the ‘Dogwood Festival Parades’ would begin in the neighborhood (but were required to stop before entering the University of Virginia); radio and televisions weren’t common; phones were on party lines, we spent much of our time catching lightning bugs; played games like ‘Red Light – Green Light’, ‘Tag’, and ‘Swamp Fox’; people heated with coal; had no air conditioning; cars were $500 to $1000 dollars; and many people took the bus or walked.

I suspect my mother, a country school teacher, was my inspiration.  She was the first to notice my interest in art (it certainly wasn’t my father – a taxicab driver).  She also painted a dead tree in her yard.  One summer she gave me some index cards and encouraged me to doodle.  I became enthralled with the beauty of the sunrise and would get up everyday just to ‘paint’ the morning sky on index cards – with colored pencils.

Much later in life, I worked for a Government agency and started a recycling program in our building.  I came home one night and thought ‘what can I do better  – to recycle at home’?  I was intrigued by how much waste we create; and noticed that ‘junk mail’, in particular, was the glut of our ‘throw away material’.  So, about 25 years ago, I started playing around and made paper mache out of the junk mail that I received.  That became my art; and I ‘embellish’ it with other ‘used or throw-away items’.
My friend came home one evening and saw my first creation – the response was not overwhelming:

“I think you’ve been alone too long….”

The comment was funny; and hopefully…keeps me ‘grounded’.   I suppose that is one reason my artwork navigates between the sacred and the profane.  Though some pieces have a more serious meaning, most are capricious – or simply something that struck me as being beautiful, funny, or ‘peculiar’.  So…does that make me an artist – or simply someone who enjoys doing art – (the proverbial ‘two-cents’ observation)?

‘Peculiars’ or ‘trash trolls’ – which I do occasionally; and which basically started in this library – are whimsical pieces that started as ‘kid doodles’ – and probably have something to do with – well, god knows.  I will say simply that my best subject matter is found by looking in the mirror.  However, I must believe there are things – call them ‘Peculiars’ if you want – that cause all of us to have days that seem like we are in ‘three quarters time’.

Johnny Hunt’s favorite artists include: Theodor Kittelsen, Antonio Gaudi, Norman Rockwell, and Andrew Wyeth. His oil painting is titled: “The Peculiar Seventeen Year Dance of the Cicadas”. A percentage of the profits are always donated to a non-profit agency of his choice (For example the ‘Make a Wish Foundation’, ‘Wounded Warriors Project’, or ‘The Nature Conservancy’).

Want to buy something you see on our walls? Artists contribute 20% of sales made during their exhibit to the Friends of the Arlington County Public Library, to help support Library programming.