Hazel Stone
As a child, I saw things around me with an “artist’s eye.” I watched particles float in a ray of sunlight, enjoyed the varied designs of frost on windows during the winter, noticed the shifting image when looking at objects first with one eye then the other, then tested contrasting color images and after images.
Rainbows, clouds, shadows, insects, butterflies and plant life of all kinds were favorite subjects for my curious exploration and examination of life around me.
Talent in art began to assert itself when, in Junior High School Art Class, my teacher put an A+ on my Report Card, with a comment, “Talent in Art.” That concept became my guiding principle. I bought art books and supplies to teach myself the basic lessons in making art. As my natural creativity emerged, I was compelled to follow my interest in drawing, painting and any art medium. Later, studying Art History filled me with absolute awe. As I was learning about the lives and pursuits of famous artists, I thought that I would be able to draw and paint also. It was at that time that I knew I had to be an artist.
I realized that ART had become my “Life’s Passion” and that ART would forever guide my life.
I know I can paint anything I can see, so I prefer to go to my imagination, experiences and feelings to unlock the image for the next painting. I love complexity, texture, shapes, spontaneity and new materials. I may work loosely or with great control depending on the project that is on the worktable.
Symbolism is an important aspect of my art. Various shapes are given meaning that may or may not be evident to all, but I know what part of the story they portray. Viewers are free to find their own interpretation.
The love of art is always present in my thoughts as I continue my journey along the path of Fine Artist in Watermedia. As an artist, I create art and I create my life. No one can do that for me. The ability to make art and make my own life allows me to create a very rewarding life. Gradually I am creating a legacy and my life story. So, I am an artist! That is "Who I am and what I do."
As a child, I saw things around me with an “artist’s eye.” I watched particles float in a ray of sunlight, enjoyed the varied designs of frost on windows during the winter, noticed the shifting image when looking at objects first with one eye then the other, then tested contrasting color images and after images.
Rainbows, clouds, shadows, insects, butterflies and plant life of all kinds were favorite subjects for my curious exploration and examination of life around me.
Talent in art began to assert itself when, in Junior High School Art Class, my teacher put an A+ on my Report Card, with a comment, “Talent in Art.” That concept became my guiding principle. I bought art books and supplies to teach myself the basic lessons in making art. As my natural creativity emerged, I was compelled to follow my interest in drawing, painting and any art medium. Later, studying Art History filled me with absolute awe. As I was learning about the lives and pursuits of famous artists, I thought that I would be able to draw and paint also. It was at that time that I knew I had to be an artist.
I realized that ART had become my “Life’s Passion” and that ART would forever guide my life.
I know I can paint anything I can see, so I prefer to go to my imagination, experiences and feelings to unlock the image for the next painting. I love complexity, texture, shapes, spontaneity and new materials. I may work loosely or with great control depending on the project that is on the worktable.
Symbolism is an important aspect of my art. Various shapes are given meaning that may or may not be evident to all, but I know what part of the story they portray. Viewers are free to find their own interpretation.
The love of art is always present in my thoughts as I continue my journey along the path of Fine Artist in Watermedia. As an artist, I create art and I create my life. No one can do that for me. The ability to make art and make my own life allows me to create a very rewarding life. Gradually I am creating a legacy and my life story. So, I am an artist! That is "Who I am and what I do."
Hazel Stone in Studio, Phoenix, Arizona.
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PASS WORD Watercolor Image: 30” x 22”
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WELCOME TO EXPERIMENTAL ABSTRACTIONI call my painting style and technique “Experimental Abstraction.” The energetic and lively compositions for my paintings come from my head, my heart and my hand.
Design elements that make my contemporary paintings stand out as being readily recognizable as HAZEL STONE include my favorite color choices, symbols, geometric shapes, patterns, words, humor and various types of line work for connections or emphasis. I like complexity and unusual combinations. My intuition is always part of the process. The finished image is likely to be a play of light and dark, color contrasts, line, shape and design with little or no recognizable subject matter. The design and development of a piece are on-going aspects of my process and I continue to do what the painting calls for until it delights my eye. My “One of a Kind” paintings appeal to all ages, but especially to people who will spend time with my work to understand the meaning from their viewpoint. My unusual style and subject matter paintings appeal to sophisticated clientele with more contemporary taste. It is said that all art is autobiographical. So, in that sense, my paintings tell my life story in an Indirect way. Whoever owns my work has it because they love it and that makes me very happy! |
OPEN 893 Watercolor Image: 30” x 22"
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Juggled Sunshine Watercolor & Pencil Image: 22” x 30”
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One of my favorite ways of working is very time consuming and requires uninterrupted concentration. I start with arbitrary lines, shapes of various sizes, and continue to design until the final stroke is done. Paintings done in this manner all have strong design and composition, flat application of clear, contrasting color and white lines of various widths as the basic elements. Sometimes I add words, letters, symbols, or images to convey my thoughts and feelings.
“Levels of Communication” developed intuitively. Decisions regarding the design and color were made as the work progressed. I didn't know what this would look like until I finished it. The ever-changing play of color and shapes still delight my eye. I love to be surprised by a painting and wonder how I happened to create it. I was honored to have my Solo Exhibition of 35 original watermedia paintings, “Levels of Communication” at Herberger Theater Art Gallery, May, 2018.
The gallery walls were boldly vibrating with the interplay of color and design. “Levels of Communication” was juried into the National Watercolor Society Annual Member Exhibition in 2014.
One of my favorite ways of working is very time consuming and requires uninterrupted concentration. I start with arbitrary lines, shapes of various sizes, and continue to design until the final stroke is done. Paintings done in this manner all have strong design and composition, flat application of clear, contrasting color and white lines of various widths as the basic elements. Sometimes I add words, letters, symbols, or images to convey my thoughts and feelings.
“Levels of Communication” developed intuitively. Decisions regarding the design and color were made as the work progressed. I didn't know what this would look like until I finished it. The ever-changing play of color and shapes still delight my eye. I love to be surprised by a painting and wonder how I happened to create it. I was honored to have my Solo Exhibition of 35 original watermedia paintings, “Levels of Communication” at Herberger Theater Art Gallery, May, 2018.
The gallery walls were boldly vibrating with the interplay of color and design. “Levels of Communication” was juried into the National Watercolor Society Annual Member Exhibition in 2014.
MEMO Watercolor Image: 30” x 22”
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Levels of Communication Watercolor Image: 30” x 22”
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Life is often puzzling with unexpected twists and turns. My paintings may have puzzle aspects to relate to, to contemplate, to solve, and to understand. Sometimes my puzzles are too obtuse and people just don’t get my meaning. But, given time, they have an “Aha!” moment when their eyes work better than their brains. Thinking on the right side of the brain frees the creative spirit in the viewer and the meaning of my work comes forth.
“Conversations Over Lunch” was inspired by a luncheon date with my dear artist friend. She loved this painting too. We had so many wonderful artist adventures over twenty years. It was chosen for the CWA 50th Anniversary Juried International Exhibition, October 13, to December 16, 2018 and received a wonderful Combined Merchandise Award.
The title of one of my favorite paintings came to life during a conversation with a Gallery Director friend. He kept saying, “… and that’s OK!” I said that I was naming my next painting with that phrase and he liked that idea very much.
I might have been drawn naturally to study Architecture, Interior Design, Art or Home Economics. However, I followed my parents' wishes to get my college degree in Nursing at the University of Utah. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree and Registered Nurse Certification. After marriage, I taught Medical-Surgical Nursing to Sophomore Students for two and a half years. My first daughter was born, and, three years later, my second daughter arrived. Motherhood was very important to me and I wanted to be a "stay-at-home mom." Still the fascination for the Arts continued, I found various classes to study whatever interested me, then various workshops followed. Postgraduate Art History courses seemed to solidify the idea that "Art was my Passion." I have been seriously involved in art since the 1970s and my "Passion for Art" still increases! Over time, I have developed my own style of painting whatever intrigues and captivates my eye and continues to motivate and Innovative my mind.
“Conversations Over Lunch” was inspired by a luncheon date with my dear artist friend. She loved this painting too. We had so many wonderful artist adventures over twenty years. It was chosen for the CWA 50th Anniversary Juried International Exhibition, October 13, to December 16, 2018 and received a wonderful Combined Merchandise Award.
The title of one of my favorite paintings came to life during a conversation with a Gallery Director friend. He kept saying, “… and that’s OK!” I said that I was naming my next painting with that phrase and he liked that idea very much.
I might have been drawn naturally to study Architecture, Interior Design, Art or Home Economics. However, I followed my parents' wishes to get my college degree in Nursing at the University of Utah. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree and Registered Nurse Certification. After marriage, I taught Medical-Surgical Nursing to Sophomore Students for two and a half years. My first daughter was born, and, three years later, my second daughter arrived. Motherhood was very important to me and I wanted to be a "stay-at-home mom." Still the fascination for the Arts continued, I found various classes to study whatever interested me, then various workshops followed. Postgraduate Art History courses seemed to solidify the idea that "Art was my Passion." I have been seriously involved in art since the 1970s and my "Passion for Art" still increases! Over time, I have developed my own style of painting whatever intrigues and captivates my eye and continues to motivate and Innovative my mind.
"Over time, I have developed my own style of painting whatever intrigues and captivates my eye and continues to motivate and Innovative my mind."
Conversations Over Lunch Watercolor Image: 30” x 22”
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and that’s OK!” Watercolor Image: 30” x 22”
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Being an artist is woven throughout my life. I am by nature a curious person and a researcher, so I find resources to gain knowledge and educate myself. I really enjoy writing as it seems to tap into a different form of creative thinking. I love organizing exhibitions and curating all aspects of an art event. I was invited to be Juror and Curator of “Memories of October and November” at Herberger Theater Art Gallery, Phoenix, AZ in 2017.
I recently proposed a Waterworks Artists group exhibition, “ALTERED FOCUS”, for Herberger Theater Art Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona. It was approved for the month of November 2020. www.waterworksartists.com
In the past, civilizations have risen and fallen depending on their appreciation, participation and support of art, music, literature and other humanizing elements. Unless the minds of people become more involved in the things that make us loving and caring humans, we may see a vast decline in the excellent creation that is mankind. My advice is: “Surround yourself with paintings that you love because art makes every day better.”
Paths of Wisdom Watercolor & Acrylic Image: 22” x 22
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Kinetic Journey Watercolor Image: 22” x 22”
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Hazel Stone works in her Phoenix, Arizona home studio. Large wall areas throughout her home display her work giving it a museum or art gallery ambience, but for her, it is home.
Website: www.hazelstonefineart.com | www.hazel-stone-watermediaartist.com