Conversations with Tim Haugh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Haugh.

Hi Tim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a child I had always created and explored the world around me. In later years, as I became more proficient in painting I started to enter local art contest, winning my first award when I was 15. Many years of living and struggling to survive took up my time, but I always painted on the side, displaying in galleries and other venues. I have been able to devote more energy to art in the last ten years and it has paid off in awards and inclusion in museum and art center shows in the greater Atlanta region. My most recent work involves portraits of historical figures and writing. I just released a book about the Founding Fathers called American Bio: The Founding Fathers, and have more to come. History is also a passion of mine and combining these passions together gives meaning and joy to my creative pursuits.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Art is never a smooth road. It is one full of self-doubt and grappling for purpose. I have always dealt with naysayers and people more than happy to diminish my art, as well as those who have praised it. If one pursues a passion, one pursues truth or they are just kidding themselves. The hardest thing I have had to face is editing the opinions of others to ascertain what truths are being related to me and what is noise. Making art work requires that you make it even when you don’t feel like it, having faith that from your persistance something of value will emerge. If you allow the noise to get to you, you’ll never get to that groove where good or great work manifests itself.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have worked in many styles and mediums, but I am currently doing American history portraits in acrylic and mixed media.
The series has allowed me to develop different texturing and compositional techniques that give this body of work a unique feel People who have come to my exhibits are always intrigued by my handling of eyes as I prefer the direct gaze and its ability to interact with the viewer, who in the act of his or her observations are struck by the fact that they too are being looked at. Fans of my work have come up to me and said “You’re that eyes guy.” (which will do as name recognition for me)

The works also are sometimes displayed with information sheets about the subjects with interesting facts about their life and times. From this grew my latest pursuit- writing. I have published a book called American Bio: The Founding Fathers which contains illustrations from the painting series and I have more to follow. Displaying the works with these biographical sheets has been truly rewarding in that it has offered a whole new layer to the exhibiting experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tjhaugh.com
• Instagram: tjhaugh_artist
• Facebook: Tim Haugh
• Youtube: @tjhaugh