LET'S TALK SHOP WITH AARON HAZEL
Q: How would you describe your artistic style?
A: Impressionism meets cubism. Playful and experimental. I like to focus on singular subjects instead of groupings most of the time.
My artistic style pays homage to my youth when I would play video games. The pixelated squares that retro video games used in their characters always caught my eye with how colors were placed next to each other. When I decided on what kind of style I wanted to have as an artist, I recall seeing those pixelated blocks of color that were used to create a composition.
Aaron Hazel "Oglala Straight Forehead" | Oil on Canvas 36 x 48"
Q: Who has/had the biggest impact on your development as an artist?
A: My uncle has had the biggest impact on me for my development as an artist since childhood. When I was 6 or 7, my uncle, who is also an artist, accidentally got oil paint on my favorite handheld, pinball style, basketball game. In that moment as a child, I saw this as my uncle's "artist mark" and my very cherished toy ended up becoming something very special to me. Little did I know that the splattered oil paint would not only connect me closer to my uncle as an artist, but this moment also revealed how artwork can be playful and fun at a young age.
Q: Who is your biggest influence in your career as an artist?
A: My initial influences were: the simplicity and whimsy of Roy Lichtenstein, the texture of Jasper Johns, and the commercial subject matter of Andy Warhol. Gerhard Richter influenced the way I applied paint to canvas with his use of pallet knives, trowels and other unique instruments.
Aaron Hazel poses with his teacher / artist, Robert Moore, a Western champion of the palette knife painting technique. Moore has mentored several rising stars in the Contemporary Western Art world including Gallery Wild's Aaron Hazel.
Q: What inspired this new body of work for your show? How did you come up with the title "Cozy"?
A: Alt "Cozy" is how I would describe my relationship with winter. I examined themes of belonging, changing of seasons, and nostalgic moments. When I was thinking about creating this new body of work I though about the time I would visit Sun Valley with my grandmother in the winter time. She would always create a warm, comforting, and familiar atmosphere. I also was inspired by the whimsical winter ski life Jackson.
Cozying up in Jackson Hole, my work evokes my intimate relationship with winter that brings a sense of nostalgia and comfort. This new body of work exemplifies a time that I longed for with the simple things in life that feel familiar.
Aaron Hazel "Flurry" | Oil on Canvas 48 x 48"
Q: Tell us more about your relationship with winter...
A: P I like the changing of seasons both emotionally and physically. Although winter brings a lot of grey, I know that these neutrals are made up of so many lively colors that I love to incorporate in my work. I also love drinking by the fire while watching the snow fall outside through the window.
Aaron Hazel "Heat" | Oil on Canvas 10 x 8"
Aaron Hazel "Holiday" | Oil on Canvas 10 x 8"
Q: What are your activities to enjoy or places to visit while you're in Jackson Hole?
A: In the winter, I like to go on long walks in the snow. I like to go from the rural parts to the town of Jackson and generally just explore the area. In the summertime I love going to Figure 8s at the fair and riding my bike up to Jenny Lake. My favorite restaurants are Handfire Pizza and Kampaii. I like the atmosphere and food they both have.
Aaron Hazel. "Jack" | Oil on Canvas. 48 x 60"
Q: How Would you describe yourself in 4 words?
A: Empathetic, Curious, Light-Hearted, Introspective
Aaron Hazel "Eve" | Oil on Canvas. 24 x 12"