Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlie Hardwick.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am a native Houstonian born in 1969. During my high school years I had my first attempt at graphic design creating flyers for my punk band. We played in various warehouses in and near downtown. It was at this time I discovered my first real artistic inspiration, world war propaganda posters. The use of typography with image became my blueprint for creating punk flyers. After graduating high school, and a brief training in the Marines for my reserve duty, I enrolled into the Art Institute. I knew I wanted to be a graphic designer. While in school, a mutual musician friend clued me in on his day job as a graphic designer. After a connection was made I interned at the small agency, where he worked, for one year. When I graduated Art school, they hired me. I was there from 1993 to 2008, starting as a production assistant working my way to senior designer. In 2007 my story would change. After a severe illness and brain infection I was stricken with severe vision loss. The economic downturn in 2008 forced the agency to downsize and lay off employees. In June of 2008 I was without a job and with little to no vision. However, through much determination, I was able to learn the handicapped setting s on my computer and taught myself to work again, but with many limitations. With disability insurance as a financial safety net, I was able to work from home. I had a hand full of clients that I had acquired over the years in the music industry where I created concert posters for bands, venues and promotional companies. This was all done as freelance outside of my 40 hours a week day job. With this new found freedom I was able to branch out into the local art scene where I got involved with Bayou City Arts Festival and art markets. I now reside at Hardy & Nance Studios, running a small print service for artist, helping artist to create their own merchandise to increase their brand awareness.
Please tell us about your art.
Trained as a graphic designer, and now visually impaired I rely exclusively on a computer as my drawing tool. I mostly execute line art drawings with bold lines and vibrant colors. It has been said that my style is similar to the famous artist Peter Max. The benefit of creating a digital design is that it allows me to print on many different substrates. I can print on paper, canvas, metal fabric and more. What people should know about my art work is that it is being generated by someone who had to go through an immense life changes that would normally force someone to stop doing what they normally do altogether. It has not been easy, physically or psychologically, dealing with this life change. So I would hope that my art would be a celebration of life.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Branding.
Most artist seem to lack a sense of brand awareness. I think some artist get caught up in the definition of what they think an artist is, and that definition for them, has nothing to do with business. In my opinion, it’s a better idea to cater to a wide audience. Because for every one big spending collector, willing to shell out thousands of dollars for one painting, there are maybe five hundred patrons only willing to spend much much less. The artist needs to accommodate for that range of your spending audience, and most artist do not do this. This is something I learned while doing the art festivals. When I addressed this larger range of price points, my sales rose higher and I had more returning customers.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Hardy & Nance Studios
Bayou City Arts Festivals
First Saturday Arts Markets
Contact Info:
- Address: www.chazbro.com
Image Credit:
Charlie Hardwick
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