Keeper of the Home. Jackson Hammack, artist.
American Folk Art & Framing (AFA) presents Lonestar State of Mind, highlighting the work of two of its artists—Jackson Hammack and Carl Block—who have ties to Texas. The show opens on the website on Wednesday, August 5, at 11 a.m., and in the gallery on Friday, August 7, at 11 a.m. A reception with a Pottery Pop-up will be held Friday from 5–8 p.m., with both artists in attendance. The show runs through Wednesday, August 26.
“Though their work differs in medium and style, both artists reflect the bold color, strong character and creative spirit long associated with the Lone Star State,” says AFA owner Julia Mills. “That ‘Texas swing’ will be front and center with Jackson’s striking wildlife paintings featuring desert creatures and Carl’s vividly painted face jugs. Across both bodies of work, earthy oranges, bright greens, deep turquoise and cobalt blue evoke canyon walls, open water and wide Texas skies.”
Carl Block, artist
A Western North Carolina resident now, Hammack lived in Texas for 35 years. His paintings for this exhibition will represent both places. “Since moving to the mountains of WNC, the natural world with all the gifts she possesses has enveloped me and calmed my psyche,” he says. “Distanced from the chaotic busy world of cities and airports, I can now focus on the native fauna as subjects. Roadrunners now share my subject matter with woodpeckers. Large canvases make room for bear, deer and elk. Not as they actually appear, but as I interpret them. I especially concentrate on the eyes as they are portals of their life force and innocence. The eyes invite the viewer to reconnect with the natural world that we originate from.”
Hammack began painting early in his childhood and has continued to express his love of people and the natural world with brushes and paint throughout the years no matter what other work he was engaged in at the time. A self-taught artist, he likes to paint on large canvases spread on the floor or a table. “This allows me to puddle the paint and build up layers,” he says. “I use pencil, latex oil and even house paints to build up my canvases. I use brushes and plastic wedges but also sticks and grass to move the paint.”
Block will travel from his native Texas to attend the show, bringing pottery, including larger pieces and sculptural forms, that blends Mexican folk art and the Southern face jug tradition. “Bright colors; lavish, rhythmic, painted textures and unexpected facial additions set his terracotta creations apart from other face jug makers,” says Mills. The Pottery Pop-up event opens during the reception on Friday and lasts throughout the weekend.
American Folk Art & Framing is located at 64 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit AmeriFolk.com or call 828.281.2134.
