| Issue #3- April 13, 2007 |
Honoring the Artist: James Hoell
If ever the term “Renaissance Man” applied
to anyone, it certainly applies to this week’s cover artist, James
Hoell. Not only is he a prolific painter, but a photographer and musician
as well. And as a lover of nature, he’s an avid hiker and traveler,
too. The following conversation proves my point.
Q: I’m fascinated by the setting in which you painted this week’s
cover. You did it while you were in a kayak. Talk about painting on
location. Was that hard to do?
A: No, not at all. I just put my watercolors in the kayak and I’m
set to go. I also take my camera with me, putting it in a zip-loc bag.
If it falls in the water, it’s not an expensive camera.
Q: I bet you can spend the whole day out there on the water. You grew
up on Long Island – was there one part of growing up here that
got you interested in the ocean?
A: Yes, I worked as a steward at a private beach club. While other boys
my age were hanging out at 7-11, I was catching frogs.
Q: Does the environment play a part in your other art forms?
A: Yes. There’s a close relationship between my art, photography
and music composition – they are all expressions of nature. In
my artwork, I like to capture the soul and energy of the environment.
In my photographs, I record nature as well. For example, I have taken
photographs of reflections on the water or caves I have visited in Kentucky.
My music is more related to people – it’s about their inner
character.
Q: I sense that observing your visual environment is very important
to you. But it doesn’t have to be a spectacular setting.
A: Right, like a sunset or the stars. Wherever I go, I keep a sketchpad
in my back pocket. I went to get some pizza the other day and started
sketching. Even if I’m not sketching, I’m constantly painting
in my mind, based on what I see or how light falls and even the composition
of an image.
Q: Does seeing images in your mind apply to writing music?
A: Yes. When I write a song, it’s like a story with characters.
I see the characters in my mind and then I describe them in words. I’m
very selective with my words.
Q: You seem to always be creating, whether it’s in your mind or
in reality. What do you do to relax?
A: Sometimes I go up to the Hawk Mountains in Pennsylvania. I especially
like watching the migrating birds in the fall.
Q: You seem like a spontaneous person – you describe the cover
art as being spontaneous. You also perform with your band, which is
not a solitary act like painting or photography. Are you spontaneous
when making music?
A: Performing is tough. I don’t consider myself a rock n’
roll star, but I try to loosen up when I’m performing –
to be spontaneous in any way possible.
Q: There are so many things you enjoy doing. What wouldn’t you
consider being?
A: An accountant or a dentist.
Q: Boy, do I agree with that.
For more information about Mr. Hoell’s work, e-mail him at: bison1347@hotmail.com
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