We were lucky to catch up with Aaron Hinds recently and have shared our conversation below.
Aaron, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I have always had a high self esteem or since of myself. As a kid I was not a great student but that did seem to dampen my spirit any. I grew up in a violent house hold so I and my siblings were in survival mode most of the time. If you family life is rough it causes kids to grow up fast and I was no different. I decided not to participate in school so they kicked me out.
As a kid I was always drawing, observing and drawing more. My Quite daily practice made me better and better at my craft, which gave me tremendous confidence. The Knowledge that I could improve my skill all by myself, did Wonders for my young self. Also I knew that the God of the Bible was real. I felt a certain amount of protection and a sense that everything was going to work out once I got clear of my insane father. In the sixth grade I was exposed to the ridiculous theory of evolution and creating sciences in the same yr as my parents pulled us from public school and put us in a private school. Which did wonders for my scholastic aptitude. Eventually us kids schooled ourselves during a time of homeschooling. Homeschool is not what u think. It’s not the parents teach the kids, it’s the kids teach themselves and the younger generations. It has its drawbacks as, well but homeschool made me into a critical thinker and a self teaching, super self reliant, life learner. I know I can do anything I want to do with my life. There is nothing that can possibly stand in my way.
In the 80’s and 90’s kids enjoyed much more freedom than now. I was free to explore far and wide. Get into and out of dangerous situations. Grow up without a terrified parent ringing their hand with worries all the time. My life was rough but I think it was better than ppl who are coddled through childhood. I always had an escape. Wether it be drawing, daydreaming, play, exploration, reading, building a fort, you name it we where in the middle of it!
To sum it up I believe my self-esteem comes from the knowledge that I have a heavenly Father that will never abandon me. Through scientific study and personal experience I have zero doubt that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sent his Son Jesus to pay the price for our imperfect state. And if anyone calls on that name in any way will transcend this life, into the presence of the Creator God.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a life long artist, I have tried many styles and mediums. Yet as a life long follower of the Christ, my art did not reflect my faith. It wasn’t until I began to illustrate the life of Jesus that everything started to happen. I knew that Jesus is not allowed into art galleries or art museums or anywhere actually. So I knew that if my new series was going to see the light of day, then I had to open my own art gallery. Against all odds of course, as per my entire life, I was able to find a giant, beautiful, mid-centery modern, space located in historic downtown Tyler ,Tx my hometown. A true miracle! I don’t have or come from money. But somehow through shear tenacity and God’s blessing that my gallery has lasted a year now.
Hinds Fine Art Gallery and Event Space is located in downtown Tyler TX at 117 S Broadway. Open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm.
@hindsfineartgallery
hindsfineartgallery&eventspace.com (I know it’s too long)
aaronhindsart.com
I believe artists are ment to grasp into the nothingness and create something profound for society.
Illustrating the life of the entirety that changed the world so profoundly, has become a true ministry and my life’s work. People are starving for meaning, it is the new currency. I believe that magical Holy library in one binding offers a true path to actual transcendence. From this world of mere physicality into the real world of Gods presence. A world that I plan to spend the rest of my life helping people to see more clearly.
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?
I believe perseverance is the most important quality an artist can have. Perseverance is born form an extreme since of self reliance. Self-reliance comes from a can-do spirit of those who trust themselves and their abilities honed by practicing a skill. I worked very hard on developing artistic skills like drawing, painting, and writing but I had to support myself until those skills paid off. Which means I had to acquire other skills to keep me alive while I worked on my artistic career. The skill I chose was carpentry and it has served me very well. Not only can I support myself in tuff times but I don’t have to ask or hire anyone when I need to do something difficult. Like remodeling a space and opening my own art gallery. I believe everyone should learn a practical skill like carpentry, electric, mechanical or plumbing. It will give you a sense of confidence like you have never experienced before.
As far as special knowledge, I believe people should be life learners as well. My fascination with the sciences, quantum mechanics in particular, has made the world and how it got here, so clear to me. Because nothing is separate from anything else I choose to study everything I can. Botany is not different that music. Music is not different form engineering. Art is not different from math.
All living things are on the spectrum of biological consciousness and are designed to search for truth. Flesh is not different from stone or wood. Everything is energy.
This world is only physicality. It is not reality. The real world is spirit.
. The truth that there is a meaning to life, is hardwired to every human soul. “A search for truth” is the actual Latin definition of the word science. The honest search for and Knowledge thereof has lead me to the Oasis of understanding. The understanding that this physical world is a mathematical construct created by an entity that calls itself, Love.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Why yes! All of the above! My space in downtown Tyler TX is a 26,000 sq’ wonderland of possibilities. The most obvious use for the main floor is a 10,500sq art gallery which I use to show my work and that of top local artists. There is a 5,400 sq’ clear story mezzanine that used to be inhabited by a lunch spot called “The Tea Room.” I am currently looking for partners to help me recreate this beloved Tyler institution into a posh brunch and cocktail lounge. I have permission from the former owner to call it “The Tearoom Lounge”. Tyler TX is growing at an Exponential rate and is in desperate need of a high-end establishments I am also planning a 3,200 sq’ music venue In the back subfloor. I have some help with that but I could always use more. We will need sound and bar equipment, and ppl to operate both.
The true beauty of the space is that it is all under one roof. The floor plan alone, begs to be an event space of Eric proportions. Weddings, corporate events, birthdays, schools dances and anything else that requires large of classy environments can be accommodated here.
One last thing is I am looking for professional artists to create the East Texas Art Collective with.
There are a number of studio spaces for rent and an amazing place to show your work. Submissions will be excepted via the website soon. (Google the hinds fine art gallery and go to the site). Or submit via email.
If you are interested and truly believe in your work, then contact me and be persistent. Sorry but there is a lot going on around here so you need to yell loud, to get my attention.
Next year is full of possibilities such as a fashion week, South by East Texas music fest, expanding the Tyler film fest and much more. I also plan on creating, I also, in junction with the East Texas Art Collective, plan on creating an ever changing, 10,000sq’, full emersive, ticketed walkthrough art installation. Possibly focusing on the creation of the world. If any of this sounds interesting please contact me. Aaron Hinds
917-340-0116 (please forgive the NYC # I lived up these for 13 years. Had a blast but I am happily back in my hometown of Tyler TX. Fastest growing city in TX, feels like.
aaronthinds@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: hindsfineartgalleryandeventspace.com
- Instagram: @hindsfineartgallery
- Facebook: hinds fine art gallery and event space on FB
- SoundCloud: Aaron Hinds
