Episode 64: Werrick Armstrong - Faith & Inspiration

"All of us as artists have inspiration that comes from a myriad of places. I felt just through a couple situations that had occurred, where I had not intended to do something, that the art had taken a life of its own separate from me. And I had seen the positive aspects associated with it, so it encouraged and motivated me to work hard to stay out of the way and to allow the inspiration to take place. And then once I acted on it the next piece was available to me. I think that’s one of the reasons I have been so prolific is because I was open and receptive to the inspiration and I didn’t question it and I acted on it."

Werrick Armstong is somewhat of an outsider artist who spent most of his life in business, but then retired and shifted his focus to art for the last 20 years. With his wife of 50 years he splits his time between Spicewood just northwest of Austin, and Marfa, an unassuming art and architecture mecca in far west Texas visited by people from all over the world. Werrick creates large and often physically and emotionally elaborate 2d and 3d works that deal with a variety of subjects that he is passionate about. Ultimately he feels he’s really just a tool to create the art, guided by his faith and a higher power.

Werrick in his Spicewood stuido with a piece about mass shootings.

King of the Jews

Werrick and your host, Scott David Gordon!

Some of the subjects we discuss:

Meeting in Marfa

Dad & Vietnam

Leaving business world

Starting to paint

Fear and risk

You need to just see it

Staying out of the way

An attitude of faith

Piece of Christ

Intent of the piece

Having faith

There’s more inside

Challenges

Artistic skills

Success

Marfa/gallery

Worldly visitors

Architecture

A real oddity

Holocaust piece

Relationships

Using your words

Humility and pride

Pastors coin story

The art world

Stewardship

Guided practice

Marriage/giving up

Spirituality/soul

How to contact

Thanks

WERRICK

Art gallery in Marfa, Texas

100 East San Antonio

Marfa, TX 79843

512-563-9403

[email protected]

Contemporary art by Werrick Armstrong.

Hours are variable–look for the “open” sign or by appointment

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian

Support this podcast. Links:Werrick Armstrong (@werrickarmstrong) • InstagramWERRICK ⋆ Visit Marfa, TexasWerrick ArmstrongMarfa Chamber of CommerceVisit Marfa, TexasThe Four Agreements