Our featured artist for the week of November 7th is Kristin Hutton. Check out her interview below to learn about the prevalent role that art plays in her life.
When did you first take interest in art?
In third grade I remember having a particularly boring history class, so instead of paying close attention, I would drift off daydreaming about the paintings in the text book. They were an escape for me, like my own personal transportation device.
How long have you been taking art classes outside of school?
When I was little (around 4th grade) I took classes at The Art of Drawing and Learning Center. Then I started taking summer classes at MICA in middle school. In 10th grade I started taking classes at Zoll’s Studio. Sadly, I don’t take out of school classes anymore.
What have you taken away from your experience at VCU this summer? How does this program differ from both outside art classes and art classes at NDP?
The culture was so different. Being around so many artistic people influenced me. I learned an infinite amount of tricks for painting, and they also stressed making art as an individual, not to reproduce an image, but create a new one. NDP has always focused more on technical skill, but I’m glad that I got the chance to experiment with abstraction.
Is there a specific artist who influences you? If so, why?
I am influenced by everything. If I had to pick one artist, it would be Jean-Michel Basquiat.
In your own work, what media do you like to use?
Anything I can get my hands on; I don’t like limiting myself to one medium.
What do you think people can learn about you through your art?
In a lot of my work I try to communicate the idea of having an open mind. A teacher once said, “Minds are like parachutes, they only function when open.”
Do you prefer to draw and paint people, landscapes, or still life? Why?
I love painting people. There is so much beauty in humanity, that it makes painting a pretty picture effortless. This is why I love The Memory Project; we paint pictures of children in poverty. These paintings are some of the most beautiful painting we do at NDP.
A few of your pieces on display are self-portraits. Do you find it more challenging to portray yourself or other people?
It’s not more difficult to paint myself; it’s just a different experience completely. By painting self portraits it helps me to better define who I am as a person. I find the whole process therapeutic.
Do you have a favorite piece that you have created either inside or outside of school? If so, why is this your favorite?
I really love my mixed-media series I painted during Hurricane Irene. The subject matter in each painting is an androgynous character; it represents the chaos of an identity crisis. The paintings are loaded with so much meaning. Having something so personal and meaningful to me displayed in NDP is like having a diary page ripped out and tacked to a wall for everyone to see. This series is my favorite because it is my public dairy page.
How would you advise other students pursuing an interest in art?
Be different. Push the envelope. Have fun. Be passionate about your subject matter.