We were lucky to catch up with Hoppy Highhat recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hoppy, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Discovering my purpose as an artist has been a fascinating journey, shaped by a combination of my upbringing, my life experiences, mixed with my personal passions. Growing up in a family of professional artists, surrounded by the creativity of my parents and older brothers, I was naturally drawn to art from a young age. I always knew it would be my profession as well, however, it wasn’t until I ventured into various artistic disciplines that I truly began to understand where my own path lay.
Working in ceramics, jewelry-making, figure drawing, graphic design, and stained glass art for years allowed me to immerse myself in different creative mediums. Each experience added a new layer to my artistic identity. I found it easy to find fulfillment and purpose in the process of creating. That was the easy part! Gathering years of experience in a diverse background provided me with a broad set of skills, enabling me to approach all of my art from a well-rounded perspective.
Then my journey took an unexpected turn when I began experimenting with painting in 2018. Jumping into an artistic medium I had feared trying since my youth allowed me to unlock a fresh form of self expression, an experience akin to reuniting with an old friend I had long been acquainted with but had yet to open up to fully. I began painting and found I was able to create intricate and whimsical designs onto thrift store prints as a unique way to blend my love of nostalgia with a contemporary and personal twist to the narrative, breathing new life into this old, forgotten decor. It resonated deeply with my vintage aesthetic and the desire to create something new, fun and deeply meaningful to me.
In essence, my purpose as an artist emerged from a combination of family influences, diverse artistic experiences, and a willingness to reveal my heart while embracing an unexpected path, that continues to evolve as I explore new artistic ground and find inspiration in whatever comes along to interact with. Through it all, I’ve come to realize that ”purpose” is not only about creating beautiful things, but also about bringing joy, surprise, and humor to people who engage with my artistic creativity.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
With every painting my aim is to craft artwork that sparks curiosity, evokes emotions, and expands one’s sense of curiosity. Intertwining art, history, emotions and imagination, my goal is to create unique artistic designs that spans generations, connecting with a very diverse audience. And as I continue my journey as a painter, my aspirations extend far beyond the walls of my studio.
I’m determined to make my art prints accessible. I envision these images adorning store shelves across nationwide (and beyond), finding their way into the homes of individuals who resonate with the imagery I create. This mission fuels my daily dedication to broadening the scope of my art, striving to be represented in many new and varied settings.
Moreover, the prospect of presenting my original paintings in the gallery setting is another dream that ignites my enthusiasm. Having the opportunity to showcase my skills and share these personal narratives, up close and in person, is a prospect that resonates deeply with my purpose as an artist. I love to make things fun to see, but I especially love to share my executed ideas with art lovers.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey as an artist, I would say that knowing how to draw, knowing how to manipulate the tools skillfully and, most importantly, knowing how to mix color are the building blocks of success as an artist. Then, you must foster the passion to create things and keep up an unwavering drive to keep going, matter what, to propel your art forward.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
My next quest will definitely be seeking out the help needed to fulfill my vision of selling this artwork in a broader market. Being a left-brained creative, selling has always been my most difficult area. Finding the time to do so holds me up firstly, but laying out a business plan daunts me as well. The business field is creative too, so I am currently looking for anyone who’s skills are in sales and distribution, which is an art in itself! Together I feel so many great things can happen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoppyhighhat/
