Meet CE Hunt | Writer-Photographer-Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with CE Hunt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CE, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
I am a writer-artist because it makes me feel like I am helping people. I work to help increase thoughtfulness so people pursue things that makes them genuinely happy versus chasing ephemeral things that they “think” will make them happy. As I stress on my website (ce-hunt.com), I write to entertain, educate and inspire. I write to provoke thinking on matters that help people to be more thoughtful and helpful to each other. I paint and take photos to make people’s lives richer and also encourage people to take care of their surroundings and preserve places and history to give our lives context and make our lives more enjoyable.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In all of my art, whether it’s writing, photography and painting, I stress thoughtfulness and authenticity. I try to forge art based on my real world experiences and my thoughts. While I have many influences that doubtlessly inspire me, I strive to be original. It actually is both easy and hard. It is easy because I am expressing myself and hope people profit from my work, but it is hard because it is a little intimidating putting yourself our there and opening yourself to criticism. There is a certain vulnerability to my trade. You have to believe in yourself though and appreciate and embrace the constructive criticism and ignore somehow the other. I want people to regard my work as original, thoughtful and authentic.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m alway thrilled to share my New Orleans. Over the course of a week, I’d share the great cuisine of New Orleans. I’m a bit of a foodie and it shows in my writing. Each day would reveal a different aspect of that cuisine. I’d explore with my guest the music traditions of the city at a number of venues both in and outside the French Quarter. I’d share the incredible museums, including the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans Museum of Art, the Cabildo, New Orleans Jazz Museum, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the amazing World War II Museum. I’d take them to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park to walk the trails of the beautiful Barataria Preserve. I’d take them on a literary tour in the French Quarter and show them the haunts of many writers including Sherwood Anderson, Tennessee Williams and Truman Copote. Lastly, I’d leave time to just leisurely explore the French Quarter to grab a cup of coffee here and a drink there to just absorb the rhythm of one of America’s most interesting cities.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A great family and many nurturing teachers growing up. People who encouraged me to grow and express myself. That is my foundation.

Here are a few people in history who have inspired me:
– Jesus (but not a lily white, blue-eyed version used sometimes to support hurtful behavior, but a radical middle easterner who taught us to love each other and make “good” trouble.)
– Hemingway (I love his writing style and subjects)
– Albert Camus (a master of describing the human condition)
– Frederick Douglas (extraordinarily intelligent and brave social reformer)
– Juan Gris (a Spanish master of cubism)
– Sigurd Olsen (master nature writer and huge proponent of wilderness)
– Maxine Johnston (a brave Texas conservationist)
– John D. MacDonald (a mystery writer who knew how to weave in social commentary)
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery (a French writer and aviator)
– Enrique Alferez (extraordinary Mexican-American artist)
– Edward Hopper (20th Century master painter)
– John S D Eisenhower (incredible historian and writer)

Website: ce-hunt.com

Instagram: c_e_hunt

Image Credits
©️CE Hunt I took all of these pictures. I painted both paintings. I wrote both of the books.