Hunter, Critt

My life until age 50 focused on my family, my education career, and my community. That half century was spent in my small hometown, Hartford, Kentucky, and seldom allowed time for me to paint. At least, never time to paint subjects that caught my attention.

Enjoying desserts, I share the following analogy. Teaching art 11 years to middle school students and 11 years to secondary art students gave me 5 layers of a delicious moist dark chocolate cake, my favorite. I loved teaching! Proudly I share that my students received local, state, and national awards. Married with two sons, I quickly found a teacher’s salary did not provide for braces, tennis shoes, sports camps, etc. My income had to increase. I had the great fortune to serve 2 years as our county’s vocational school principal. In those two quick years, the school excelled and earned respect within the school district, the region, and the state. A promotion became available at the campus high school as curriculum principal. Again, I found myself in a pleasurable job. The two administration positions gave my cake a decadent creamy icing. Divorcing and moving to Louisville, KY, I found a position with Jefferson Community and Technical College as the Prison Program Supervisor. The position was absolutely fulfilling as I served five prisons, oversaw approximately 20 faculty, and some 250 students/inmates. The personal rewards were endless as I saw men and women develop self-esteem as they pursued and earned an Associate of Arts and/or an Associate of Science. Without doubt, working in this position added exquisite decorations to my cake. Five years after my move to Indianapolis, I retired from employment with Nora Elementary. Forty-three years in education was enough.

Retirement coincided with the COVID Pandemic’s home isolation, and I began a personal first, focusing on my art. Painting subjects that I found interesting, acceptance to juried exhibits, acceptance into juried art fairs, and art sales presented a validation that I never dreamt possible. Who knew old age could be so much fun! Creating as a "senior" presents welcome time to explore and to bring pause. I focus on the beauty of nature. Imagine visiting a garden filled with lovely day lilies. Lilies that share a common color yet are touched with subtle analogous and complimentary colors. Summer plants grow quickly and produce spectacular blossoms of vibrancy and hues. Yet, the time celebrating their expansive color passes way too quickly. Hopefully, I can capture the summer blossoms, in "all their glory", so that the viewer can view the plants celebration of color each and every day. A simple goal that I hopefully portray.

Recent Exhibitions & Awards:

Hoosier Salon 2021 and 2022
Indiana Artisan
Nickel Plate Arts Emerging Artist Award 2022
Harrison Center For the Arts, various exhibits
Fishers Arts Council, 2-man Exhibit
Covington Art Fair, Fort Wayne, IN
Lafayette Juried Art Around the Fountain
Penrod Juried Art Fair 2021 - 2024
Nickel Plate Arts, various exhibits
Nickel Plate Arts, Solo Exhibits
Anderson Art Museum, various exhibits.
Gallery 6202