Hunt Slomen Discusses Painting Horses & The Circuit Cover Art

Artist Hunt Slonem is widely known for his neo-expressionist oil paintings of vibrantly colored birds, bunnies and butterflies, as well as large-than-life sculptures and restorations of historic homes. His 1996 oil-on-wood “Horse” is featured on our cover of The Circuit.

Slonem moved often during his childhood due to his father’s role as a naval officer, which wet his palate for travel and exotic destinations. He studied his craft at Tulane University, the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and the Banff School of Fine Arts. His work can be found at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Bahrain National Museum, and the list goes on.

Slonem is also a sculptor, designer and collector. Here we talk about his art, interests and love of the natural world.

A Conversation with Hunt Slonem

When did you become interested in painting?

I’ve always wanted to be a painter. It started when I was very young. My grandfather painted, but not full time. He did it as a hobby. He did show, however, as much as life allowed at the time.

You have a deep adoration for nature and wildlife. What do you find so alluring?

Nature is spirit. It seems to be pure divinity in its most unspoiled form. And visually it is completely exciting and more inspiring than most manmade things I encounter. The landscape including bayous, butterflies and birds are things I find most exotic.

How did you come to paint a horse?

I don’t paint horses often, but I have on occasion over the years. I’ve had horses over my lifetime but have not done too much riding. I feel much more comfortable on a camel.

Rabbits are prolific in your artistic expression. How did this come about?

They started out in my early saint paintings— at the feet of saints with animal attributes, and later I singled them out and they became like calligraphy, and then part of warm up paintings for my morning routine. It has really taken off for me. I’m the sign of the rabbit. Rabbits are not just prolific, but they represent psychic and mystical qualities. For example, Alice in Wonderland including the Mad Hatter, through the rabbit hole, and other veils of reality.

You’re a world traveler — what places have amazed you most?

I love the jungles of Central and South America and the wildlife found there. Also, my travels to Asia such as India, Japan and the Philippines have left an indelible mark as sources of inspiration.

You have a lot coming up this year. Where can we find your art around the globe?

I do have a lot going on, and I do try to get to most of the openings. I have solo exhibitions at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, Madison Gallery in Solana Beach, CA and Turner Carroll Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. I have museum collections in Bologna, Venice, Germany, and others.

You are a collector of houses — you have seven in all spanning LA, PA and NY. Where was your latest purchase?

I bought the Searles castle in Great Barrington, Massachusetts a couple of years back. It’s a 68,000 square-foot historic estate that I’ve had my eye on for some time. I admired the architecture, and I plan on making it my home.