Hunt Slonem sees himself as a collector of valuable and meaningful treasures, such as his beloved parrots, top hats, tropical-style clothing, Victorian furniture, as well as the mansions and spaces he has come to own. Most of his creativity arises from living close to nature and his spirituality, which has caused people to recognize his artwork through the vision they perceive from it, since Hunt manages to convey those feelings.
Even in his early years, Slonem had no other type of pet besides birds. He has a special relationship with them. In India, he collaborated in the construction of an aviary about 40 feet long. After traveling, Hunt took the backside of his brush to use it in the creation of the representation of a cage, along with other details that would give it a contemporary finish.
Slonem has a deep connection with metaphysics in everything he paints. He admires the same fascination that Abraham Lincoln and his wife had, so he has made portraits of him in his works. Likewise, he has made portraits of Queen Elizabeth, since he has great admiration for her and her way of making decisions.
On the other hand, Pablo Picasso is his favorite artist; he admires and is interested in his artistic works, studies, and homes. Similarly, Paul Gauguin, a great artist, has a special place near Hunt Slonem’s heart, the feeling is so special that Hunt has expressed he sometimes cries when admiring his works.
The charm towards birds
Birds have become a source of fascination for Hunt, since his early years in Hawaii, these birds that have accompanied him since he was young have not ceased to interest him, and portraying them in his works has also served him as a method of meditation.
These creatures are really very special to Slonem, he is a faithful believer that through them it is possible to find happiness, mysticism, and fascination. With them, he has unique conversations. That charm towards birds is also due to their vibrant colors, beautiful songs, and shapes. He thinks that birds have a great divine purpose.
Therefore, it is possible to admire birds such as toucans, finches, parrots, and doves in his works. They have been captured in oil strokes and have always been part of his life. That is how they are now part of the best art galleries in Mexico.
Innovation in his techniques to capture his birds
Around 1980, during one of his trips to India, he received great inspiration to start portraying them using wet paint, as this is a technique like working with water. Resulting in a finish very similar to that of watercolor, however, this can be opaquer.
Later, he has chosen to venture into metallic pigments, being able to provide a more ethereal style, so he is capable of capturing the light in a very special and unique way. Thanks to this, being able to admire each of his works is an incomparable and extraordinary experience that can be lived in the world of Art Galleries in Mexico City.
Another technique he has used is cross-hatching, in which he uses a fine-tipped brush to mark the cage bars, and then position it over the moistened paint. Similarly, within the innovation in his works, the use of diamond dust can be found, which he adores for the sparkly aspect it provides. It can be said that Hunt likes his works to shine and be striking for their colors, just like the creatures that inspire him.
His sources of inspiration
Hunt Slonem has a special attraction for tropical and exotic places, as well as for their species such as birds, rabbits, and butterflies However, his personal history is also of great importance. Although Slonem is primarily known for his artistic works of animals and portraits, he has also been involved in restoration projects.
He has been passionately interested in restoring very old buildings in the United States. Among the most relevant restorations are the Scranton Armory and the Charles Sumner Woolworth mansion in Scranton, Pennsylvania; Cordt’s Mansion in Kingston, New York; the Lakeside and Albania mansions in Louisiana; and Belle Terre, a great historic site in South Kortright, New York.
Slonem’s extraordinary creativity has always impressed art enthusiasts. He has also been able to publish monographs and books about his style of art, including “Birds” (Glitterari Inc., 2017) and “Bunnies” (Glitterari Inc., 2014).
If you are interested in learning more about the works of this extraordinary artist, we invite you to contact us at info@auragalerias.com. If you would like to see more artwork, do not hesitate to visit our website. Remember that we can always prepare personalized renders so you can see the artwork in your space, or you can request an appointment to see artworks in any of Aura Galerias’ locations.
