Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Hurd.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
It’s long and convoluted, or at least feels that way. I tend to jump right into all the suffering, who doesn’t like a suffering artist? Isn’t that what drives us? Yeah, for me art was a way out of the midwest as a kid. An escape from a place I didn’t ever feel like I fit in, but as an adult I’d say that feeling has never really changed so I’ve let that part go. Growing up in Missouri, my parents split when I was young, both had their share of addiction issues, and we were those kids who when the school collected food for the poor, that was us, the poor. We made due. I made my own clothes when I couldn’t find what I wanted. I poured myself into skateboarding and art and worked to escape Kansas City and get somewhere warm, and sunny. My sister had Cystic Fibrosis, and my has Tourettes, I was just the weird closeted gay kid, working through my trauma in the worst of ways. I spent a few days in jail at 17, came out at 19, moved to Los Angeles at 21. I found love a few times, I found success in advertising as a Creative Director for many years, but the world kept throwing things at me. The end of an 18-year relationship, the loss of my sister in 2007, massive financial issues, loss of my house, but ultimately there was beauty in it all. Suffering of all sorts but so much of it at my own doing too. Art has been my escape from everything. It’s my emotional stage, my ebbs and flow, the destruction and resurrection, the dark and the light. It’s the thing I feel I am meant to do, and yet the thing I struggle with on self-worth. My story is like every other human I suppose, born, live, suffer, fall, get up, fall again, keep getting up, eventually die, that’ll be a good long nap. I’m fond of naps.
Please tell us about your art.
My work is mostly emotional landscapes. Always trying to capture movement, and destruction and rebirth. Sometimes it’s the stillness in the midst of chaos, other times it’s an array of color to drown out the personal darkness I may be experiencing. I think people connect with the darkness and find it beautiful. It’s hard to explain what an experience really feels like. Any single event can take you through every aspect of emotions and sometimes they just keep dragging you back through them, again and again. How do you capture a heart, or a mind, or a moment that is internalized? That’s what I’m usually going for. I can’t speak to other peoples experiences, but I can hope they connect with my own.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Advice is hard because every path is different. Every artist connects with a different audience. Some may never find the financial means to pursue art full time, others it may come rather easy. For me, it’s been hit or miss. I’ve had great years and not so great years. The economy can affect artists greatly. I can’t ever say quit your job and pursue art because you love it, it’s not realistic. Many have families, and responsibilities well above that of an average early 20 something, and most without said responsibilities don’t really know where they are as an artist. I just tell people it’s not a race. I didn’t hit my stride until my late 30’s/early 40’s. I may look back at this in ten years and feel like I hadn’t even gotten started at this time, who knows. Life is always a struggle to balance our wants and needs. Do your best, that’s my only advice, but good to yourself and others along the way. People can help you in ways you’d never expect.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
In this day and age instagram (@anthonyhurd) is the easiest way to keep up with me. I have open studios here in Austin ever couple months at Canopy where people can see works in progress before they ship out for shows. This year I have group shows scheduled in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Portland, and SF. Here in Texas I mostly have been working with collectors on commissions and private viewings. I post most of my finished works on my website as well at anthonyhurd.com
Contact Info:
- Website: anthonyhurd.com
- Phone: 323.829.7793
- Email: howdy@anthonyhurd.com
- Instagram: anthonyhurd
- Facebook: anthonyhurd.54
- Twitter: anthonyhurd
NewEraScans
Image Credit:
My personal photo was taken by Ben Aqua
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
