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Episode 31: Charles Heppner - Moved by Beauty
“This is what I want, this is what makes me fulfilled, is to make work. I need to do that. In order to go further, in order to grow, as an artist you have to do! You can’t ask why all the time. You can ask why later.”
Visual artist Charles Heppner’s work spans many different mediums and has many themes but ultimately focuses on the sanctity of beauty, especially in nature, how its appreciation makes us human, communication, and the interconnectedness of everything. He is devoted to both being an artist and a great parent and has figured out how to be present in both as he has integrated his art practice into his life as a stay at home dad. As a parent he has figured out how to be responsible while keeping his projects moving forward which is not always easy. Years of making work along with daily creative discipline and a journaling practice have given him the confidence to ask better questions to explore through his art and at the same time not be attached to finding an answer. Give up control and follow your heart.
He emerged from a fear of irresponsibility as an artist and the influence of pragmatic parents, having studied math in addition to art and working as a floor trader, to being a full time artist with a dream studio where he paints, creates box constructions, make scans, and works on photographs that he takes daily with his ever present camera. He is always looking with a curious eye for what is visually compelling and wants to share the beauty and magic he discovers. Fulfillment often comes from working consistently, always being prepared to capture moments, and searching for a way to add to the conversation and be in dialogue with other artists work.
Charles is such a thoughtful and deep thinker. I really appreciate the way his mind works and his reverence and commitment to being an artist. The discipline he has around his daily practices is inspiring and makes so much sense when thinking about how to keep progressing with your work and keep your head in the game. My favorite takeaway from our conversation is the idea of figuring out which artists are important to you and what conversation you want your work to be a part of. This is a great interview that I know many artists will derive value from.
Some of the subjects we discuss:
His work/philosophy
The beauty of a child
Arboreal/prayer rugs
Sacred Fabrics series
High School/college
Studying art and math
Trading/East Pilsen
Becoming a parent
Art and parenting
Creative hygiene
Dream studio
Discipline/athletics
Adding to the conversation
Hyde Park Art Center
Reading routine
Goethe biography
Daily journaling
Arboreal chords
In awe of nature
Great questions
Looking for beauty
Davis Gallery show
Sacred fabrics
Davis Gallery & Framing
June 9th - July 21st, 2018
...of Warp and Weft
Caprice Pierucci and Charles Heppner
Opening reception: Saturday, June 9th | 7-9pm
837 W. 12th Street | Austin, TX | 78701
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm | Sat 10am-4pm
512-477-4929
Banner image -“Sacred Fabric: Gentle Breeze”
30”x58”, UV cured pigment print on Dibond
Edition of 10.
Links:
- Charles Heppner - website
- Davis Gallery & Framing - ...of Warp and Weft
- Agnes Martin: "Beauty Is the Mystery of Life"
- Father Vorwoldt (@vorwoldt) • Instagram
- Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees: Expanded Edition: Lawrence Weschler
- Dawoud Bey - Wikipedia
- Kerry James Marshall - Wikipedia
- Colour and Culture: Practice and Meaning: John Gage
- Hyde Park Art Center - Chicago
- Stefan Ruiz - photography
- Goethe: Life as a Work of Art: Rüdiger Safranski
- Charles Heppner- Artist - Facebook
- Local Artists Caprice Pierucci and Charles Heppner Open Joint Exhibition at the Davis Gallery – Tribeza
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By Scott David Gordon
4.8
4343 ratings
“This is what I want, this is what makes me fulfilled, is to make work. I need to do that. In order to go further, in order to grow, as an artist you have to do! You can’t ask why all the time. You can ask why later.”
Visual artist Charles Heppner’s work spans many different mediums and has many themes but ultimately focuses on the sanctity of beauty, especially in nature, how its appreciation makes us human, communication, and the interconnectedness of everything. He is devoted to both being an artist and a great parent and has figured out how to be present in both as he has integrated his art practice into his life as a stay at home dad. As a parent he has figured out how to be responsible while keeping his projects moving forward which is not always easy. Years of making work along with daily creative discipline and a journaling practice have given him the confidence to ask better questions to explore through his art and at the same time not be attached to finding an answer. Give up control and follow your heart.
He emerged from a fear of irresponsibility as an artist and the influence of pragmatic parents, having studied math in addition to art and working as a floor trader, to being a full time artist with a dream studio where he paints, creates box constructions, make scans, and works on photographs that he takes daily with his ever present camera. He is always looking with a curious eye for what is visually compelling and wants to share the beauty and magic he discovers. Fulfillment often comes from working consistently, always being prepared to capture moments, and searching for a way to add to the conversation and be in dialogue with other artists work.
Charles is such a thoughtful and deep thinker. I really appreciate the way his mind works and his reverence and commitment to being an artist. The discipline he has around his daily practices is inspiring and makes so much sense when thinking about how to keep progressing with your work and keep your head in the game. My favorite takeaway from our conversation is the idea of figuring out which artists are important to you and what conversation you want your work to be a part of. This is a great interview that I know many artists will derive value from.
Some of the subjects we discuss:
His work/philosophy
The beauty of a child
Arboreal/prayer rugs
Sacred Fabrics series
High School/college
Studying art and math
Trading/East Pilsen
Becoming a parent
Art and parenting
Creative hygiene
Dream studio
Discipline/athletics
Adding to the conversation
Hyde Park Art Center
Reading routine
Goethe biography
Daily journaling
Arboreal chords
In awe of nature
Great questions
Looking for beauty
Davis Gallery show
Sacred fabrics
Davis Gallery & Framing
June 9th - July 21st, 2018
...of Warp and Weft
Caprice Pierucci and Charles Heppner
Opening reception: Saturday, June 9th | 7-9pm
837 W. 12th Street | Austin, TX | 78701
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm | Sat 10am-4pm
512-477-4929
Banner image -“Sacred Fabric: Gentle Breeze”
30”x58”, UV cured pigment print on Dibond
Edition of 10.
Links:
- Charles Heppner - website
- Davis Gallery & Framing - ...of Warp and Weft
- Agnes Martin: "Beauty Is the Mystery of Life"
- Father Vorwoldt (@vorwoldt) • Instagram
- Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees: Expanded Edition: Lawrence Weschler
- Dawoud Bey - Wikipedia
- Kerry James Marshall - Wikipedia
- Colour and Culture: Practice and Meaning: John Gage
- Hyde Park Art Center - Chicago
- Stefan Ruiz - photography
- Goethe: Life as a Work of Art: Rüdiger Safranski
- Charles Heppner- Artist - Facebook
- Local Artists Caprice Pierucci and Charles Heppner Open Joint Exhibition at the Davis Gallery – Tribeza