Painting New Orleans Blog

5/24/2018 10:26:25 AM

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share my good news.  Six of my prints were bought to be on a show called "Queen Sugar" on the Oprah Winfrey Network.  The show is executive produced by Oprah, herself, as well as Ava DuVernay, the first black female director nominated for a best picture academy award for Selma.  DuVernay is also the first black woman to direct a $100 million film, 2018's A Wrinkle in Time.  I couldn't be more excited to now have a professional connection to both of these amazing women who are giants in the film and television industry. In a small way I get to be a part of their creative world. 

Here are the prints that they bought,

"Rainy Morning"

"Light Behind the Columns"

"Pirate's Alley Cafe"

"Sonoma"

"Lightning Over Bayou Saint John"

"Fatherhood"

Queen Sugar's third season premieres May 29th and May 30th only on the OWN network. After the season is over it should be available on both Amazon and Hulu. Unfortunately we don't have access to the OWN network at our house right now, but  you know I will be scouring every scene looking for my artwork as soon as that third season comes out on Amazon! So if you have one of these Adam Hall Limited Edition Prints or perhaps even the original paintings, feel free to tell everyone about your new connection to both Oprah and Ava DuVernay! 

In a few days I will be turning 40 years old. As a final 30's goal, I gave myself the task of completing thirteen new undeniable paintings for the New Orleans Arts Market on May 26th, the day before the big 4-0.  You can see these completed paintings on my website here-http://adamkhall.com/collections/43670

While I may not have made the cut yet for Oprah's list of favorite things, I am certainly one step closer. My 30's have been good to me and I am proud to say that I am ending them on a good note thanks to Ava DuVernay, Oprah, and you. 

Thanks For Reading!

Adam K. Hall

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5/11/2018 11:46:10 AM

Hi Everyone,

One thing I have found is that a middling disappointment is not a great motivator to do better. To really spur you onto better things you need a great big flop. Thankfully, this happened at my last Arts Market in Baton Rouge where I had to borrow money to pay my booth fee. To be fair I was tired from taking care of my sick kid the night before and I think the threat of rain had scared off the crowds.  So after some reflection I decided that the only element I could control is the paintings in my booth and that they have to be undeniable. My resolution is to have thirteen new paintings for my booth at the Palmer Park Arts Market in New Orleans on the 26th of May. My 40th Birthday is the next day so I am putting a good bit of pressure on myself.  Hoping the paintings dry in time!

Thanks For Reading!

Adam K. Hall

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5/4/2018 9:59:52 AM

Hi Everyone,

Since John James Audubon first illustrated and documented birds of Louisiana, artists have been inspired by Louisiana wildlife. The best ones impart their own particular flavor to the subject, making it their own with a signature look.  I have gotten a lot of requests for Brown Pelicans, which are the state bird of Louisiana, but I did not want to commit to painting wildlife until I could differentiate myself from other artists.

"John James Audubon" Plate 251 Brown Pelican

For example, my friend Michael Guidry has taken wildlife painting to the next level.  He’s combined his love of abstract patterns with the patience of a true naturalist to make paintings that stand apart from the pack. Guidry has set up still-lives of dead fowl in his studio (my wife would never let me do this!) and regularly takes trips in his 18 foot crawfish skiff to gather specimens for inspiration. I joke with him that his process requires such dedication and hard work that it is impossible for other artists to imitate. You can see his work during the second weekend of Jazzfest in the Contemporary Crafts Section in tent G. His great sense of humor comes through in his work.  Here is a link to his website  mguidrystudio.com.

Michael Guidry's unique take on painting pelicans. Here is the painting on his -website

Michael Guidry's kingfisher birds with an alligator.  Here is the painting on his-website

So I didn’t want to paint wildlife unless I could put my stamp on it and make it stand out from the pack. What unlocked the door for me was painting an egret in its nest.  I have so much practice painting trees from my oak series that I found I could be loose and expressive when painting the sticks in the nest and this gave me the confidence to paint with freedom instead of fear. In working multiple bird paintings what I found was that I need to relax and focus on my strengths---play  up the color and the gestural brushstrokes and keep the composition aggressive and dynamic. Finally, I used the advice Michael Guidry gave me when I had to do a cow painting for a commission---- he said if you can get the eye right, everything else will fall into place.  I hope you are as excited about these new bird paintings as I am.

"Egret's Nest" 16" x 20" Sold.  This is the painting that opened the door for me. Prints are Available-here

"Egret's Nest Turquise" 16" x 20" $295 Available as an original painting and also available as a print-here

"Blue Heron" 16" x 20" $295 Available

"Birds of a Feather" 16" x 20" Sold. Prints are Available-here

Thanks For Reading!

Adam K. Hall

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