Check out Vie Dunn-Harr’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vie Dunn-Harr.

VIE, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Briefly……….OH MAMMA MIA! I was born and raised in San Antonio in a vibrant and creative home. As a young child my artistic potential was recognized and nurtured. At age 10 I would sit on the curb and draw my neighbor’s houses and then offer the finished drawing at their door for seventy-five cents. I understood early on that you could do what you loved and make money! My mother enrolled me in private lessons at the age of 15.

At 19yrs of age I was invited to exhibit my work in an established gallery in SA. Showing beside such artists as Dalhart Windberg and Daryl Trout I was inspired and knew that I needed to be excellent and unique to make my way in the art world. I painted primarily in watercolors and eventually began working in oils. I had many lessons to learn about the business of art and the owners of the gallery were patient and taught me well.

I spent many hours everyday painting and my passion grew stronger day by day. I painted every subject matter, western art, architecture, figurative and portraiture, etc. At 21 yrs. of age I began teaching painting in my home and eventually gave up my full-time job to paint and teach art. So many wonderful relationships were formed along the way. Creative people are fun!

Throughout the years, I would study with artists whose work I admired and also worked for short periods in art academies in Italy. I also mentored young artist and collaborated with many artists. I also began taking groups of painters to Italy to work and continue to do so today.

Later on, I was contacted by a publisher in Las Vegas who would represent me, publish my work, and opened the door to a gallery in Caesar’s Palace which changed everything regarding opportunity. He and the gallery were interest in my flower paintings. So, my life became full of flowers which was a perfect fit. The focus on one subject matter caused my work to evolve and grow immensely. As I exhibited my work in LV many other galleries in other areas would see my work and invite me into their galleries. It was a very prosperous time but be careful what you wish for…………..working day and night to provide requests is demanding. Of course, it was my job and so I was grateful. So many wonderful experiences.

At one point I began to feel sick when I painted. I would just push through embracing the passion to get my work done and then one day while teaching a workshop, I collapsed. My body had reached its limit of exposure to oil paints, cleaners, and toxic environments. Determined to paint with the medium that I loved, I began to paint in a full hazmat suit for a few years. My career and success as a painter were defined by the way I could handle oil paint and the medium that made it possible to achieve a unique look. This was how I made a living, the style and technique that opened doors. Then the hazmat suit was no longer sufficient. I surrendered with a broken heart knowing that I had to pay attention to my health.

I must say that this was an emotional time! There were many decisions to be made regarding my next steps as a painter and how would I move forward. I was not fond of acrylics but it seemed like the practical next step. The stars aligned and as always, my God, paved the pathway to a new opportunity and beginning.

Joan Fullerton was teaching an acrylic workshop in her home in Colorado with a small group………a rare opportunity. I signed up immediately excited about the opportunity to be with an artist with so much knowledge and experience with acrylic paints. Joan’s work is fabulous! I could write a book on this awesome, inspiring woman, mentor, and friend. This too was an emotional time as I entered an unfamiliar world of paint but I was in the right place at the right time! So many stories to tell………. I am now well on my way, loving acrylics, and reaching for the stars creatively. I know how to paint and have always believed that the sky is the limit!

My family’s support and love has been constant. Then there is my husband, Steve Caroll, who believes I am the best painter in the universe. He believes in my dreams as I do and he inspires me to be all that he already believes that I am. Everyone can use a cheerleader. So here I go again…. A new medium and challenge has been a wonderful experience and the timing was just right!

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My paintings are an extension of my life unfolding. I paint from my heart and hope that others will interpret from where they are. My floral works are organic forms rooted in architectural elements. The forms are sensuous and portray the force and fragility of nature.

Last year as I visited La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, I was inspired to paint a series of work portraying this magnificent structure and to honor the designer Antonio Gaudi’s vision that people would know God through creation and creativity. This series continues to expand to all churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, basilicas. I want the churches to hold flowers (my love) or for flowers to be housed within these places of worship. I will paint waterlilies floating in the St. Petersburg Mosque and alters overloaded with cascading flowers. The possibilities are endless and I am so excited knowing that the medium no longer matters, and that it is portraying my heart’s expressions and passion that make art. In the process I am learning about churches, religion, and spirituality from a new perspective.

Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
The world is certainly changing and no doubt art will be a part of the change. I think artists have always been a part of the dialog as our work will reflect life. Artists will always gather across borders, party lines, etc. as it is our nature to collaborate, debate, and create. It has been that way for centuries.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
At the moment, I do not have my work on exhibit in any public places. I have chosen to spend this transition period in my art to be a time of complete freedom, without demand, to explore subject matter and style to determine where I want to go artistically. I didn’t want to waste this new beginning by continuing as usual. There is a season for all things! I believe something special has been waiting to arrive and I want to be open and present to receive it. My work can be seen by appointment at my studio in San Antonio.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.viedunn-harr No acrylic work posted yet.
• Phone: 210-532-8036 Studio
• Email: vie@dunn-harrstudios.com
• Instagram: viedunnharr

Image Credit:
Vie Dunn-Harr

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