Interview

Written By Editorial Team

Winston Harrell: A Chef With A Heart For Art

Winston Harrell Jr. is an artist born in Oceanside, California, 1958, but he grew up in Chicago, Illinois, from 1960. He began his art career at the early age of fourteen. He went on to participate in Mayor Daley’s summer Youth Program for inner-city youth in 1972. The program focused on teaching neighborhood inner-city youth the value of art through the creations of murals.

To better fuel his curiosity for art, Winston later enrolled in a two-year correspondence art course for commercial artists through Art Instruction Schools of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he learned the basic principles of art and illustration. As his desire for learning the arts continued to grow, he completed the A.S. program for Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Bleu of Chicago in 1997.

To adapt himself to the changing world of computers, digital art, and graphic design, Winston enrolled in a Visual Communication Program for graphic design at Westwood College in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2006, where he received his A.S. in computer graphics and design.

Winston currently showcases his artwork at Jarrods Tea House and Art Gallery in Mesa, and at Whatzit and Whoozit Retail Outlet in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also an active member of the Arizona Artist Guild.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I was always a creative person as a child. My mother always told me to draw images from life itself and I never forgot that. I remember spending endless hours working on illustrations for my science projects for the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago in 1970. Each illustration was hand-drawn to perfection.

As my talents grew I found more inspiration. I then started designing table layouts for HO model training settings in 1972. Later, at Weber High School, I joined the Poster Club and the high school band where I became proficient in playing 5 musical instruments.

I decided to take my skills to the next level by submitting my design to the TV guide publication for emerging artists at Art instruction School. I was accepted, but was unable to continue due to financial difficulties.

After High School, I decided to pursue a career as an artist and musician by enrolling at Elmhurst college. I studied Art and music there for 1 year.

Much later I found my interest seemed to lean towards Culinary Arts and in 1995 I enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu of Chicago 1995 where I received my first degree. Afterwards, I found myself wanting to learn more about art and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where I enrolled at Westwood College in the program for Visual Communications and graphic design, and received my second degree while working full time at Grady Memorial Hospital in 2005.

To get a better understanding of the illustration process I resubmitted my drawing to the Art Instruction Schools of Minneapolis, Minnesota, again, where I received my 2-year Certification in commercial Art in 2006.

I was still thirsty for more artistic knowledge and moved to Mesa, Arizona, where I enrolled at the Art Institute of Phoenix for a BA in illustration and Graphic Design in 2011. This arduous journey has given me the opportunity to learn and grow my creative mind.”

What inspires you most?

“I am inspired by nature and its wonders. I created a series of Arizona artwork called ‘The Power of Arizona’ - a series of seven illustrations devoted the the landscape and terrain of Arizona.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I enjoy still life and nature scenes, but I prefer the body in motion. My series ‘The Secret Life of Angels’ reflects some of my best artwork.”

How would you describe your work?

“I have a very fluid style. I have the ability to draw many different subjects, animals, people, places, and things.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I find that I am influenced by Maxfield Parrish, Alfonse Mucha, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. I am inspired by each of these artists and have studied their styles closely.”

“As an artist, I believe my role is to bring beauty into the world, and happiness to others through my art.”

What is your creative process like?

"My creative process is long and tedious. I create ten rough drafts prior to my final illustration. Then I create a separate color scheme which I use to practice my final color selection on.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“Yes, Unique and Unusual Gift Show, Parson Center of HIV and Aids, The Light Foundation for inner-city youth, The Dirty Diablo Sports Bar, Phoenix Gay Men's Chorus Auction and Fundraiser, Jarrod's Coffee and Tea House art Gallery exhibition.”

 
Editorial Team
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