This month we are celebrating the Idaho-based oil painter Aaron Hazel. Aaron’s art has been featured in galleries across the country and has found its way into the homes of many prominent individuals, including famous football players. He has a big heart, which has led him to combine his passion for human rights and meaningful representation with his spectacular artistic talent. We are excited to take a glimpse into what inspired Aaron to become the artist he is today and showcase some of his spectacular work.

Background:

Aaron isn’t just a hobbyist; he’s a full-time professional artist who owns his own art and frame shop. Pursuing his dream career wasn’t a straightforward route. He graduated from Whitman College as an art major. Realistically, he didn’t think his future career would offer him a living wage as a painter. Instead, he believed his degree would allow him to do something creative in a standard corporate setting. After school, he wasn’t offered the opportunity to even get an interview for a potential 9-to-5 position. Without a job where he could put his talents to use, he took to bartending in Bellevue, Washington. While most people would find this discouraging, Aaron counts himself lucky. After all, his bartending job served as a gateway to the lifestyle he has now. During this stage of his life, he attended workshops to continue growing his skills and took commissions with confidence.

“I took whatever I could get. Namely requests from friends or family. Friends and family eventually blossomed into friends of friends, co-workers, even regulars at the bar.  Some of these regulars played football for the Seattle Seahawks, and when they started purchasing my work ( and shouting me out on social media) things really began to take shape for me.”-Aaron Hazel

During his bartending days, Aaron’s ability to whip out a painting in just a few hours gave him a huge advantage for accepting commissions. He could afford to make his prices accessible and easily manage a high workload.

Themes and Messages:

Back in college, Aaron wasn’t just an artist; he was also a great athlete. Sports were a big part of his life and inspired him to paint players in action. His signature loose, impressionist style brought his love of sports to life on canvas. 

 “I eventually pivoted to focusing on portrait work... Mainly underrepresented peoples of the Old West. There was so much I felt like I did not learn in history class... perhaps I was also daydreaming about girls and basketball.” -Aaron Hazel

Since then, Aaron has developed a deep curiosity that’s pulled him into reading about the past and discovering inspiring historical stories. He also uses current events to inspire his work, often using painting as an outlet for processing pent-up emotions.

Creative Process:

Aaron’s medium of choice is oil paint. He applies it liberally to his canvases with palette knives, putty knives, etc. He enjoys the effect oil allows him to achieve, including loose, wispy strokes and the freedom it offers him to be wild and experiment in a childlike way. 

He makes sure to protect his hands with gloves and wears clothes he doesn’t mind getting ruined, encouraging others to do the same if they want to work as freely as he does.

Aaron has a healthy routine that offers him a balance of creative time and room for rest.  He spends the majority of productive hours at night without much structured activity during the day, noting that he sits around aimlessly and sometimes sneaks in a quick nap. The real magic happens after 10 p.m. He describes a schedule that begins with coffee and some mental preparation. He revisits recently completed works to give him the confidence he needs to tone down the nervousness and reassure him that he can whip out another masterpiece. Once he is ready to get down to business he does 50 pushups, hydrates and uses eye drops. In his studio his work block is focused and energetic, consisting of 4-6 hours blasting 90's drum n bass while painting at his easel. He changes pace after the timer goes off, letting himself wind down and decompress before going to bed. By the time he falls asleep the birds have woken up and are chirping as they start their day. 

Words of wisdom:

Aaron has gone from being someone who didn’t expect his hobby to develop into a full-blown career to becoming a professional artist and business owner. His experiences have offered him plenty of wisdom, and he isn’t one to gatekeep his well-earned knowledge. While everyone’s journey is different, his tips have plenty of value that most upcoming artists will find helpful. 

One piece of advice that isn’t spoken about enough has to do with how one presents themselves to others, both personally and professionally: 

“While your friends and family get to know the real you, try not to vent or communicate those struggles to your audience. You have the answers. Show humility to the process, sure, but give them the confidence that they made the right decision to follow you and collect your work.” -Aaron Hazel

Aaron invites other artists to continue experimenting and developing their skills along the way while refining their own unique signature.

“Create what speaks to you. Be inspired by other artists, try things, try their things. As long as you keep working, your natural "penmanship" will surface.” -Aaron Hazel

Keep up with this amazing artist here!

Instagram: instagram.com/ahaze2

Website: www.aaronhazel.com

Bask in the spotlight!

Are you a local artist who wants to share your journey? Perhaps, you know a talented artist you'd like to nominate for an Artist Spotlight. If either of these apply to you, send your inquiry to bewilderingwalls@gmail.com for consideration!