Woolly Hewitt, featured within the book Rogues in Paradise, credits his “world-famous artist” stature to Simon Cowell who holidays often in Barbados. Woolly was a fan of Simon and followed the show “The X Factor”. He created a portrait of Simon and gave it to him on the beach, within the presence of British reporters. It was promptly published within the British tabloids and shortly went viral, putting him everywhere in the web.
Follow Fame & It Will Follow You
Woolly was all the time an artist. He got sidetracked by studying Accounting on the University of the West Indies (UWI). That bored him to bits and he asked God to guide him to turn into wealthy and famous. His fame got here early on.
Even before he captured the international media along with his meeting with Simon, Woolly had his paintings of popular figures hanging in famous places.
Using one of the best marketing practices of the day, Woolly gifted portraits to influential personalities, including President Barack Obama of the USA. Other portraits hang in Government House and the US Embassy but, in fact, it was the Simon gift that launched him into international stardom.
He has been featured within the international magazines People, Hello and OK!, to call a couple of.
Featured in Latest York Gallery 128
Following his debut with Simon, Woolly’s work was displayed in Latest York’s Gallery onetwentyeight.
Here’s what one visitor to Gallery 128 needed to say about Woolly Hewitt’s art:
“While visiting Gallery 128 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side last week, I used to be charmed by a series of portraits forged by the self-taught Caribbean artist, Carl “Woolly” Hewitt. Fashioned with wool, they exude a distinctly earthy charm and raw beauty. Based in Barbados, the artist had all the time loved to attract, but it surely was only several years ago that he began creating portraits with wool. Mr. Hewitt refers to himself as “the king of wool” or “the wool man,” claiming to be “the one wool artist on the earth.”
Crazy Inez – Source: Artbreakout >>
Woolly Working on The Beach
Despite all this fame, Woolly’s works should not overly expensive. At My Collection Barbados, situated near the beach where he often works, between Baby Doll and KFC, you can find original works from just $350. See more at https://www.mycollectionbarbados.com/
Barbados Ignored Woolly Hewitt Until he Was a World Famous Artist
Woolly’s biggest disappointment is that he got no support or recognition in Barbados until he had international standing. It’s like you’ve gotten to get international recognition to get taken seriously in Barbados. Barbados, he says, “ignored World-Famous Artist Woolly Hewitt”.
Within the video above, Woolly says he just isn’t proud to be a Barbadian; he’s proud to be the World-Famous Artist Woolly Hewitt. Like many struggling artists, Hewitt was not recognized at home. It took the international fame to make the federal government and cultural community in Barbados concentrate to his unique style and inventive ability. He’s a real icon of folks art within the island but as he says, “They thought I used to be crazy”.
Latest Artists Alliance Helping Artist
Sadly, his experience is all too common. Many local artists are underappreciated and folk art in Barbados is, on the entire, seen as either too commonplace or less than international standards. Evidently Barbadians will spend hundreds of dollars on a painting that was made by a world artist (irrespective of how widely known that artist actually is) than $300 for a locally made piece. It’s a really discouraging state of affairs that’s the reason behind many an artist giving up on their dreams.
Actually, it is just in the previous few years that anything has been done for Barbadian Artists. The Artist Alliance Barbados, for instance, was created by artist for artists. Its job is to create opportunities for artists to each exhibit and sell their artistic endeavors in pop-up galleries across the island.
Folk Art Misunderstood
In Woolly’s case, Folk Art is a very hard sell in Barbados. Actually, Folk Art has been ignored and misunderstood globally for a few years.
Renowned Canadian Folk Artist, Maud Lewis, lived in obscurity until a complicated Latest Yorker stopped at her colorfully painted door and have become her first collector. Today Maud’s work is very praised. Her painting of The Lobster Fishermensold for $45,000US.
Folk art is sometimes called “art without shadows”. It appears easy but is complex in undertone, balance, color, and composition. Maud’s art shows astonishing complexity in composition and expression.
It vibrates empathy and joy. It has been called “Simply perfect art without shadows”.
Folk Art With a “Woolly” Flair
Woolly’s works mix the color and composition that comes from pictures in his mind. They stand out by adding dimension, texture and depth with wool. Unlike many traditional folk artists, he mixes paints and uses color with abandon, creating drama and emotion with contrast, harmony and tones that each soothe and shout. He doesn’t mimic reality but is inspired by it and expands the chances. His works express realism with vibrant imagination, creating art that’s entirely his own.
Woolly Hewitt is an achieved artist in all media including poetry and lyrical compositions. He’s a one-of-a-kind folk icon, creating unique art with wool.
Local Support for Artists Lacking
Woolly just isn’t alone in his struggle to be appreciated in Barbados. Digital Artist Amanda Haynes says she has not tried that arduous to be known locally because: “I’ve seen how other artists struggle and get nowhere. My target market is international.”
Despite being energetic for 10 years, Amanda has only had a couple of local commissions. She is currently promoting online for international business.
Amanda adds: I’ve realised that Bajans have the mindset that when it’s not food or not functional then it’s not definitely worth the money. It’s more of a luxury item for them.”
“The exposure and appreciation are there. But mindsets need to vary. People need to grasp that a variety of what they appreciate has an artist behind it. As humans we appreciate fashion, accessories, aesthetically pleasing buildings and rooms. But without the contribution of artists, we wouldn’t have those things. Artists have spent a few years learning to perfect their skill just like all other career, and so they have to live and eat as well.”
More about Amanda Haynes on her website Roshni Creations.
Woolly Stands Alone in a Genre He Created
Woolly Hewitt shares this attitude. His case is all of the more vexing as Folk art is appreciated by only the few that understand the genre. Not many do; but that’s changing as he gains international stature because the one and only world famous Woolly Folk Artist.
Story and video of Woolly by Ian R. Clayton
https://RoguesinParadise.com
Summary Video of Chapter 10 Rogues in Paradise
Video by RoguesInParadise
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