PERSONAL STATEMENT | ARTIST'S STATEMENT | RESUME | CONTACT
I was born August 23, 1968 in Litchfield, Minnesota. Raised in Cohasset, a small town in Northern Minnesota,
I was exposed to art at an early age. Earliest Influences- My grandfather was an artist and a sign painter. More so, Curt Hoard, a close cousin, has been an influence in my early artistic development.
My earliest memory of Art- At the age of four, I knew I wanted to be an artist. In pre-school, my teacher had prepared a potato-stamping project. I refused to paint with potatoes and insisted, “I paint with my brushes!” Ever since that moment, I remember excelling in Art.
The Early Years- I graduated with honors from Grand Rapids High School. Ready for the art world, so I thought, I confidently went to University of Minnesota, Duluth. There I studied Art Education and general Art. Since I was studying to be an Art teacher, I have a divers studio background. I concentrated in painting and ceramics. Several of my artworks from my undergraduate studies were accepted in juried shows. My Senior Art exhibit received more visitors than any other reception. Four pieces sold. The most interesting sale or barter was the “Working at the Castle” ceramic sculpture. It was swapped for three kegs of beer and a roasted pig.
Influences- My years at UMD were a bit crazy and perhaps that would explain my attraction to the abstract expressionist. Jackson Pollack and Peter Voulkas would define my early interest in a lack of control mentality, pushing the limits of any conventional artistic concept. I admire Rudy Autio, the Impressionist and post-impressionist for their painterly affects. Alexander Caldor for his ingenuity and work ethic. I could continue for pages of the artist who have influenced my work. The most important influence is not necessarily the artists but the affect they had in changing the mindset of the viewers. My undergraduate studies fluctuated from out of control abstraction to tight conceptual control.
After my undergraduate studies, I spent two and a half years in Mexico. There I volunteered as a resident supervisor in a children’s home. Shortly after arriving, I met my wife. We married in April of 1996. August of ’96 we arrived in Philadelphia. We have two daughters and a son; Darlene, Kelah, and Mel. In 1999, I became an Art teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. Since that time I have slowly but surely been returning to the art scene.
PERSONAL STATEMENT | ARTIST'S STATEMENT | RESUME | CONTACT
God has given all of us gifts. My intention is to use these talents to make this a better place. My work always has something to say. It is through my work I am able to express what I struggle to write or speak. When one looks at my art, I want the piece to speak for itself. Does the viewer need to know who I am, where I am from, where I went to school, what faith I believe, what sex, or what political background I attend. Through my work, the viewer will experience these things and hopefully more.
The concept of my work is essential to making a piece. As I mentioned my work always has something to say. This would be an awful world with out Art. Art is a powerful tool, which we use to express and communicate vital facts about our lives and the times we live. To me, good art has meaning and a message. Sometimes its function is to simply beautify, to enhance a local aesthetically. The purpose of the piece is where it begins.
Secondly, I keep in mind the person whom will possess the finished piece. Who would want the artwork? Will the piece better define the person? Perhaps it is to better describe what a person may treasure or hold in high esteem, whether it is the piece itself or the idea behind it. Personally, I hope and subscribe to the latter.
Craftsmanship has become an important element in my work. Expression was the emphasis in my early work, expression in the use of the media. As I capture the most essential moment, the element of expression is now in the image. I try to catch a motion at its critical point when it seems to continue moving. Viewers have commented that they could hear the music playing as they watch the artwork. My work has shifted towards the technical and workmanship.
Working in clay has been my passion. I have always enjoyed painting and it comes quite easy to me. Because of this, I have incorporated painting with glazes, under-glazes and such on my ceramics. I welcome the technical challenges and unexpected surprises that come when working in clay. Further, the longevity of ceramics merits respect.
When people see my work, I want them to look and ask themselves, “How does Hoard do that?” I try to push the never stagnant limits that are set by pre-conceived notions. I believe it is only through this mentality that we can achieve new forms and movements in Art.
PERSONAL STATEMENT | ARTIST'S STATEMENT | RESUME | CONTACT
PERSONAL STATEMENT | ARTIST'S STATEMENT | RESUME | CONTACT
