Hal Sutherland
Hal Sutherland's fascination with the art world began at a very early age in his life when the Milkman and the Garbage collector alike both drove horse drawn vehicles past his home. His fascination with the sight of those horses became an obsession which has followed him throughout his art career. He'd often wait at the curb outside his home in Massachusetts to be close by as the wagons stopped on their house-to-house visits. He spent hours sketching those horses with their memories remaining prominent in his mind as he later traveled throughout the world of art. A passionate dream to be mounted on a wiry mustang galloping across vast prairies has been fulfilled in many of his paintings and shared' with collectors who enjoy the immense versatility in his subject matter, which visits the many worlds of the Equine throughout our Country's history and the part the horse has played. When viewing his works, there is always a strong statement, be it humorous, or relative to an emotional era.
Though the dream of becoming an artist filled his soul, the reality of survival soon became evident in the form of a variety of menial occupations, dish washing, messenger work etc. But throughout this period the quiet fantasies and dreams he cherished led him to California still following his childhood dream to become an artist, It was there in 1954 he began a distinguished career with Walt Disney Studios where his knowledge of horses placed him in a select group working on Sleeping Beauty. He later went on to become an Emmy award winning television producer and director in Hollywood. Yet, despite his success in the field of animation, those childhood dreams still filled his thoughts till finally, he and his family moved to the state of Washington where he finally embarked on a full time painting career in 1974. His works have since been featured in several national magazine articles and PBS a documentary special. Traveling along this path he became fascinated with the historical world of the Pioneers who sacrificed so very much to contribute to the lives we all live today. He says "Times and styles are constantly changing, but people basically remain quite similar throughout, and times past or present are worthwhile remembering. How fortunate it is if an artist can preserve some of those moments for others to realize, we were not so different."
Looking back he states; "Nothing can erase the pleasures I've had in this wonderful life." Through his art, he causes others to stop, look, and to cherish past times. The future is limited only by our imagination and creativity. I hope I will always be able to face each day with a keen sense of imagination and fantasy and the steady hand to relate those senses to others thru my art so that they too might enjoy.”
Though the dream of becoming an artist filled his soul, the reality of survival soon became evident in the form of a variety of menial occupations, dish washing, messenger work etc. But throughout this period the quiet fantasies and dreams he cherished led him to California still following his childhood dream to become an artist, It was there in 1954 he began a distinguished career with Walt Disney Studios where his knowledge of horses placed him in a select group working on Sleeping Beauty. He later went on to become an Emmy award winning television producer and director in Hollywood. Yet, despite his success in the field of animation, those childhood dreams still filled his thoughts till finally, he and his family moved to the state of Washington where he finally embarked on a full time painting career in 1974. His works have since been featured in several national magazine articles and PBS a documentary special. Traveling along this path he became fascinated with the historical world of the Pioneers who sacrificed so very much to contribute to the lives we all live today. He says "Times and styles are constantly changing, but people basically remain quite similar throughout, and times past or present are worthwhile remembering. How fortunate it is if an artist can preserve some of those moments for others to realize, we were not so different."
Looking back he states; "Nothing can erase the pleasures I've had in this wonderful life." Through his art, he causes others to stop, look, and to cherish past times. The future is limited only by our imagination and creativity. I hope I will always be able to face each day with a keen sense of imagination and fantasy and the steady hand to relate those senses to others thru my art so that they too might enjoy.”