Welcome to season five, episode 22 of The Abundant Artist, the show that dispels the myth of “the starving artist” and shares how you can live an abundant life as an artist and make a living from your talent one interview at a time.
“My life is designed to sell paintings. If I was not selling that many paintings, I would need to change something.” — Adam Hall
Joining the podcast today is Adam Hall, who describes himself as “an artist who paints New Orleans”. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Adam’s tryst with New Orleans started when he joined Tulane University there to obtain an undergraduate degree in studio art and history. Although later Adam studied in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA) and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (MFA), he eventually decided to move back to New Orleans and settle there.
The impact of Hurricane Katrina is visible in Adam’s art, especially in his black-and-white, burnt-paper three-dimensional collages that explored themes of loss and upheaval. A visit to Paris in 2009 and the study of impressionist painters convinced him to switch to impressionist oil paintings.
In this episode, Adam explains why he calls New Orleans his home, his metamorphosis from a sculptor/installation artist to an impressionist painter, how Hurricane Katrina has inspired his artworks, and how he manages the business side of his art career.
In this episode:
[:33] Cory reminisces how he has known Adam since 2013.
[4:05] Why Adam has found his “artistic home” in New Orleans.
[5:45] How Adam’s website captures the fascinating evolution of his artworks.
[7:15] Adam was more into sculptures and installations during grad school. Why has he taken up painting after moving to New Orleans?
[10:05] How has Hurricane Katrina shaped Adam’s artistic expressions?
[12:38] Why it was important for Adam to create artworks that looked similar to oak trees.
[20:12] How over time Adam coached himself to make impressionist paintings of New Orleans.
[32:30] How Adam has designed his life for selling paintings.
[33:40] Adam enjoys the business side of his art career. It’s not “work” for him.
[36:40] How Adam’s New Orleans paintings changed over time and why.
[38:14] How the pandemic impacted Adam’s choice of subjects for paintings.
[41:11] How did Adam figure out what works for him in the business side? How TAA class helped Adam with finding his “voice”.
[46:14] What kind of write-ups Adam does regularly for his collectors. How does he decide on what to write?
[49:07] Social media and his website helped Adam sell his paintings more than outdoor shows.
[51:11] What’s working for Adam on social media?
[53:00] What’s Adam excited about his art business at the moment?
[55:03] Cory thanks Adam for joining the podcast!
Resources mentioned:
Adam Hall’s Website
Adam’s Blogs
About the guest:
Adam’s paintings are inspired by the vibrancy and distinctive character of New Orleans. His early work (2005-2010) expressed his reaction to Hurricane Katrina through black-and-white, burnt-paper three-dimensional collages that explored themes of loss and upheaval. Adam’s work has been exhibited in New Orleans, Martha’s Vineyard, Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, the University of Alabama, at the Duke University Law School, and at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge; and featured in the book Papercraft, published by the Gestalten press. His large 12-foot painting titled “Resolve” was installed on the campus of Tulane University’s Flower Hall in 2017, and in the same year he won “Best in Show” at the Red River Revel, a music and arts festival in Shreveport, Louisiana. Adam shows his work at arts markets in New Orleans and from his home studio.