Arum1966

I paint in acrylics as if nobody but me will ever see my art and don't ever plan a painting, letting it evolve as I work. I consider myself a figurative expressionist/abstract artist who paints emotion with contrasting color and texture.

I was born and raised in rural Arkansas. Growing up in a tiny Bible-belt town I had a hard time finding anyone I could relate to so I buried myself in my art and my cat critiqued it for me. My grandfather was a preacher, my father a deacon, my mother an organist, and my little brother an usher, so was I at one time. I remember when I was little my mom and teachers would get irritated with me because I would draw when I was supposed to be listening. I told them that's when I listened the best but they didn't believe me. To be truthful it depended how inspired I was. If I was just doodling I was listening. If I was really into it the world around me didn't exist.

There wasn't many artists around growing up and I would latch on to the few I met. Eventually I met my best friend in school. He was an artist that in challenged me to do better and we are still friends to this day. Luckily when I grew up a few more artists moved into town and galleries started popping up and eventually the Art Walks. It still has a ways to go but it's better than it was.

I used to only draw and disliked using color. My art teacher would get frustrated with me because I refused to use color in assignments that required it. He would give me a "C" and tell me he would have given me an "A" if had just used color. I continued to do black and white.

Not until I was in my 30's did I experiment with color and when I figured it out it consumed me. Many years later after I had quite a few paintings under my belt I was enrolling my son into my old high school. My art teacher was there and we talked for the first time in a long time. He never dreamed I would become known for my use of color. Life is ironic at times.

I also work in sculpture but not as much as I would like due to lack of space. One day I'll get reacquainted with that old friend.

Current Residence: Russellville Arkansas
Favourite genre of music: 80s Rock, Classical, Techno
Favourite style of art: Expressionism/Abstract
Operating System: Google Chrome