🌞 faces in the crowd: noel hatfield
meet iowa's self-taught oil painter and see his work at the first ever folkartwork exhibit, "faces in the crowd" opening saturday, november 9th in des moines, iowa
Happy Friday! As you may or may not know, I don’t normally sent out newsletters on Fridays. Every Sunday, the “This Week In Outsider Art” newsletter recaps the week that was, and every Wednesday, paid subscribers will get “B-B-Bonus This Week In Outsider Art”. So what’s with Fridays?
I’m extremely excited that for the first time ever, FolkArtwork will be live and in person, with the “Faces In The Crowd” exhibit opening on November 9th in downtown Des Moines, steps away from the world renown sculpture garden located in the historic Fitch Building.
I’m also really proud to be working with the artists I get to work with, and showcase artwork by some extremely talented people, including Noel Hatfield. I was fortunate enough catch up with him and learn a little more about the 73-year-old self-taught artist’s art-making process and I hope you find it as fascinating as I do. Stay tuned for more interviews in the lead up to the show!
Introducing, Noel Hatfield, Iowa self-taught artist.
FolkArtwork: Can you tell me a little bit about your background. Every time I drive out to meet with you I am blown away by the rolling hills and beautiful landscape of Winterset, Iowa. How did you end up here and what experiences do you feel have led you to your current art-making practice?
Noel Hatfield: I worked for 28 years with telephone companies and retired at age 50 when they downsized. Then, my wife and I cleaned houses, built and sold primitive furniture, opened an antique mall, and finally moved to Winterset to babysit grandchildren. We have two of our daughters living in Winterset, so we see them daily. I have always doodled with art in pencil but found a love of oil painting about five years ago.
FA: As a high school art teacher, I’m fascinated with students’ art experiences. Especially how confidence affects art making as a teenager in both a positive and negative way. What was your experience making art throughout your days as either an elementary, middle or high school student?
NH: Growing up I was not very good at art but did enjoy drawing. It wasn’t until my senior years that I started to become better at it.
FA: I know you started painting seriously once the pandemic had started. What was it that led you not to just put paintbrush to canvas, but continue doing for the years that followed?
NH: When the pandemic hit we stayed at home and I started painting as a hobby. I listed my art on eBay and Etsy and it began to sell. That was exciting. I have sold over $15,000.00 in painting over the past five years.
FA: From your early work until now, you can see a clear evolution of progression in your artwork. What were some of the original thoughts and feelings about your work when you first started? And what are some thoughts and feelings you have about your work today?
NH: This was a completely new learning process for me. I watched YouTube to see how to mix oil paints and brushes to use and I’ve always been self taught with most work that I do, so yes, more or less I learned on my own and learned from my mistakes. I have come along way as far as quality of work goes over the past few years but last fall something clicked and [I’ve created] my best paintings yet.
FA: As someone who works full time (as a husband, a grandfather, and caretaker of your wonderful home) – I know it’s hard to find time to make art. How and when do you find the time to make artwork?
NH: We are very busy with babysitting 3 grandchildren most days and helping our kids remodel their farmhouse. In about a month, I will be caught up and will be able to get back in my art room and do some serious painting. It’s the one thing that I truly love to do.
FA: When making art, do you listen to music, podcasts or watch movies? Is there any other art form that helps you push through “creative blocks”? Or gets you in the mood to make art?
NH: I like to paint celebrities and say I’m doing Johnny Cash, I will listen to his music while I paint and create a bond. I love the fact that I can have an idea and create it on canvas. Things that I like most [are like] George and Martha Washington skinny dipping in the Potomac River or the Conjoined Zombie Twins.
FA: Is there anything else we should know about you or you want to share?
NH: I’m 73 years old now and hope to be painting for along time to come. I would say your never to old to learn. A few months ago I stopped in to see an old friend and found he had started oil painting. He had created some beautiful traditional art, and he is in his late 80s. Just create.
You can follow Noel Hatfield, Iowa self-taught artist on Instagram at @iowaartoilpaintings.
Noel Hatfield’s work can be purchased in the FolkArtwork Collective shop or his Etsy shop. Select works can be found in Des Moines at Huckleberry Home. And you can see his work on November 9th at the “Faces In The Crowd” exhibit at the Fitch Building in Des Moines, Iowa.
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