21 Jan Meet The Artist: Harrison Blackford
Each quarter, we display art from a different local artist at our Main Street Real Estate Gallery. Our newest featured artist is Harrison Blackford. To learn a little more about Harrison, we asked her some questions about her work.
Explain the process you go through for your work. What draws you to the mediums you choose?
I believe my passion for art and color started when I was young. I also studied Studio Art and Art History at Sewanee: University of the South. After college, I began painting more and started to sell my work. I enjoy painting in acrylics and find it the best to work with daily. I love the vivacity of the color. I feel very fortunate to be able to paint full time.
What peaked your interest in art?
I have been painting all of my life! Having amazing art teachers along the way, while at Sewanee: The University of the South, my appreciation for art exploded. During college, I focused on art history and studio art. Studying abroad, I had the opportunity to see all of the influential masterpieces in Europe that I had studied for years. I always loved painting, but it was not until after college that I had the time to paint daily and explore my own artistic style.
How would you describe your style of art?
I am a Southern abstract and impressionist artist. I paint with personality and color! My passionate use of color and expressive paint strokes allow me to infuse my personality into each one of my paintings. I enjoy painting abstract, landscape, figurative, and still life paintings. It is thrilling to take an everyday object/scene/person and infuse a beautiful color palette onto a canvas with my paint brush.
Where do you gather most of the inspiration for your work?
It has been my good fortune to grow up in beautiful South Carolina. I think we have become an exciting mecca for eclectic artists and creative businesses. For me…whether it’s an old southern building, a grazing cow, a beautiful field with trees, or a musician on a porch…I am lucky to be surrounded by inspiring subject matter constantly.
What’s your favorite piece of your own work?
I have recently started a series of Southern doors. I have enjoyed studying classical southern architecture. It has been fun to experiment with new color palettes while working on this series.
What’s an interesting fact about you or your work?
My parents have a huge interest in original and local artwork. They have a fabulous collection of paintings that has grown over the years. Our home in Spartanburg is full of color. Looking back now, I see how their love for original artwork and color shaped my own creativity and approach to my painting style.
What famous artist do you most admire?
Henri Matisse. His passionate use of paint and unusual color pairings within his paintings has always intrigued me. I believe it is the color within a painting that can make or break the design of a room.
To learn more about Harrison Blackford, visit her website.
Come meet Harrison Blackford at our Artist Reception on February 4th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Main Street Real Estate Gallery. Harrison’s art will be on display at the gallery from January 1 – March 31.
