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

Hi Andrew, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
What habits……

When I think of success I am taken back as far as my high school years and then to my time in the military before I come to any thoughts of success (as in “succeed”).

Habits: discipline, perseverance, attention to detail, and more important; independence.

Discipline: The discipline to overcome a period of inner-city thuggery that resulted in being expelled from one high school for an act of vandalism ( witness not the perpetrator). The experience resulted in months of sitting at home doing nothing followed by a concentrated set of summer classes which eventually supported a foundation for graduation from another high school the same year I was set to initially graduate.

Perseverance: After finishing high school, I leveraged my scope of testing knowledge to be assigned to a military job where (along with thousands of other Airmen) served in collecting and disseminating INTEL against Cold War adversaries. Extremely rewarding years of my young life. I used the downtime to read incessantly. Reading that led to an old book titled “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Dr. Maxwell Maritz  the book was major mind influencer as a teenage airman. Of course, I read many more self-revealing and improvement books. How does that relate to perseverance? The reading included not only information but actionable time-oriented exercises that I feel deeply affected my life post-military that led to college studies through a Masters  In Business Administration and years as a Diversity workshop facilitator. Perseverance to educate one’s self and to undertake years of self-study of 2D Art via trial and error. I have never once sat for an art lesson. My loss, but a perseverance reality.

Attention to detail; Self-explanatory. observation assimilation and execution (If required)

Independence: I can think of only one or two instances throughout my life that I have actually been given anything beyond a good upbringing, a proud family, mentorship via a military Tech Sargent and a recent set of hearing aids to help with loss of hearing,in part due to the military, that was denied as a disability by our Veterans Administration. The same Veteran’s Administration that for decades denied the reality of Agent Orange as a lingering killer of war zone military troops. Why is “given anything” worth mentioning? Frankly, life is, for some, made much easier and rewarding via assistance when it is most needed, earned, or sought. Therefore as I move through life, I am proud of the level of independence, I feel I inherited from my family; pure DNA: as I am not a “Fortunate Son” . Old Credence Clearwater Vietnam song and Wyclef Jean  movie theme “Man Of Fire”.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My art?

I am most proud of being a self-taught artist. I’ll recognize there are many self-taught artists, yet I still relish what has evolved since I purchased my first tube of oil paint. I am an oil painter who is developing horizontally as a painter who finds utility in acrylic paint. Utility which can if not carefully managed take over my medium preference. Oil paint will always sit as integral to my creative processes as I use it almost exclusively when I paint figuratively,

How did I get to where I am professionally? A question that humbles me, and I am reticent to answer. as I have yet to get to where I want to be as an artist. Yes, it is called artist humility. If I get to a point of thinking “..where I am vs where I want to be”. it could impact how I continue my practice. A practice that involves painting every single day, unless I am dealing with illness. While excluding vacation travels, I work on all holidays and my birthday [12/25 birthday] and anniversary).

The journey to my current level of artistry hasn’t been easy as the travels have been without any education. While a hard road to travel the trodding has been most rewarding.

Lessons learned and branding? Well, I am a visual artist who works in various styles. I paint figuratively, Lunar scapes, wildlife, florals. surreal pieces, and geometric abstractions. There are critics out there who absolutely get skin pimples and bother to tell me that my work is way too varied and I will never get name recognition. As if that is a guiding light or goal in my quest for fine art. I paint what I want, when I want; all guided by my skills or lack thereof. Yes, I avoid that which I am not competent in performing. Isn’t that true for most human beings?

So, my brand is a continuum of 2D paintings that show in various styles and often tell a story or reflect an aspect of life that was or is critical as I developed a particular piece. The person or art lover/collector is a person of loves vibrant highly colored works.

I sell internationally and there isn’t much in my life that gives me excitement beyond visiting Monte Carlo, Monaco, and seeing a condominium building that houses a wildlife painting I created years ago. Or walking on the Isle of De Palma Mallorca and stumbling upon a gallery that frequently has my work on display.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As an artist who does not live in Miami or Maimi Dade, I am at a disadvantage with this question. Let’s just say that I would spend time tooling around the city from museums to galleries, to well-known areas such as Wynwood, Miami Beach, and South Beach, Overton, and , Little Haiti, I have pieces currently being displayed via Art Beat Miami.  Certain are on display in North Miami.  The city and South Florida are “runneth-over” with fine dining, I cannot at this point accomplish an eatery itinerary. Of course, the art world in Miami is well known, So I’d seek to expose myself and my guests to visual treats as much as possible.

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?
I have mentioned the Book “Psycho-Cybernetics” as a major catalyst as I grew out of my late teens years and my honorable discharge from the US Air Force at age 21 (after four years of service to the nation).

As for mentorship? I don’t actually recognize the dynamic as my independence probably deprived me of real mentorship. I will offer life-affirming credit to the former Sargent Williams who took me under his wing as a very young married airman. He sought part-time employment opportunities for me (often working alongside me), he gave advice and he chastised when necessary to a young black airman who was committed to living a life away from the military. I will repeat previous ShoutOut article remarks -responses about personally sought advice from an internationally renowned artist. Advice to move my work to a level outside of that of a hobby. Thank you, William La Chance. ar. Louis, MO (“THE LOU”).

I would be seriously remiss if I did not offer a Shout Out to artist, curator, and gallery owner Rolando Chang Berraro; artist, curator, collector, and event promoter Anthony Burks Sr., and art dealer, Gallery owner, and occasional advisor Paul Fisher .  All South Florida professionals who without question facilitated opportunity and or impetus, to help move my art forward. Neither is a mentor per se but I owe each a major Shout Out. I will also speak highly and offer a Shout Out to the Arts United FL leadership team of Chuck Willams, Dennis Dean, and others. I will never forget working with Dennis Dean on a membership enrollment and art submission while I (and my wife) traveled through the Society Islands ( Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, and more).

“ART LIVES WHE  IT IS SEEN.”

Website: Singulart.com Andy Hollimon

Instagram: @anaalu8

Facebook: Andrew Hollimon

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