Artist Hallie Hart Sings the Blues.
Written by Vaughn Stewart
Hiding out in the mountains of inspiration is where we found Hallie Hart, the professed she warrior of catwalks and paint. Yes, where else but Aspen, Colorado. Hart had found herself in a state of influx after returning from living in Monte Carlo and London during these crazy times of uncertainty in the world. Searching for the perfect balance of nature and liveliness, she found herself drawn to the super casual, yet affluent starstruck town of Aspen. Hart first captured her global audience by working the canvas on the floor, painting with just her hands, but not just on the floor, she takes her lead on a catwalk for her larger works.
We sat on the main floor on a massive, lush, white sofa that overlooked the famous Ajax ski mountain. Also, another perfect view was one of her paintings, a masterpiece lining the three-story staircase wall, she told me it was twenty-eight by eight feet long, it was a massive ultramarine blue piece of heaven. Hart explained that she was inspired by Yves Klein’s blues and that she had not painted anything that wasn’t blue in a year. I was blown away by that statement and needed to know more – plus blue is also my favorite color.
Cool America: I have so many questions for you, but I have to know first, why blue? Why just blue paintings for a year?
Why not? To be honest, blue has always been everything to me. I’m drawn to the water and infatuated with the sky and beyond, that is what initially brought me to blue. Yves Klein’s ultramarine is part of the palette and helped guide me towards my craze of creating blue works of art. It has a calmness, a mystery behind it. Blue is one of the number one selling colors in the world.
I know you did not study art in school, you were an English Literature major. So, where do you get the bug to become this person, this artist that is making some serious waves as a up and coming supernova?
Curiosity would not be a lie. I loved painting as a child with my grandmother, this is how it got embedded into my subconscious. Eventually you give in and do what is natural. I’m one that will always follow my gut instinct and heart. You’ve got to feed that, nurture that and embrace what you are. I’m always going to be that child looking for more ideas and ways to play with paint.
I know you like tequila, apparently so do I now. Do you drink while you work in the studio?
Very rarely, I love to enjoy socially, but I don’t like to numb myself while working through something in my studio. I am high enough on music and working it out on the canvas. My high comes from the “ah ha” moment, when I hit the mark and made something extraordinary.
You’ve been called a gypsy, never wanting to stay in one place for too long, is this accurate? A second part to this question, does this effect your love life?
Hmm, wow, not sure if I’m a gypsy, I would say an explorer looking for her muse slash inspiration… globally. I gather this intel by meeting people, exploring new cultures, visiting cool places and listening to their local music. I crave and embrace new experiences, so I guess that is why I move and travel so much. I mean, listen I made choices that people only dream they could do, I never really see obstacles. My wish is that more could do the same… dream. My relationships are passionate and I have had my share of them, I am in love with love, that is all I can say.
That leads me to the next question, how does music influence your work?
Oh baby, it’s everything. Music is my constant boyfriend. I love all music, from Miles Davis to Jay-Z. Music sets the stage for what unfolds on my canvas. Music can control your mood and create new unforced moves on my work. It helps guide the paint and outcome. I listen and feel, paint and release. “It’s a beacon of light in the world of flight.”
You were a NYC girl since early on in your childhood. What do you think about the city now?
It’s in a disarray and is disheartening, but the city is resilient and I know it will make a comeback, the people are too strong to see anything destroy it completely. NYC is a force of nature and will rise to the occasion. I have faith in the future of New York. I know that not even a pandemic can destroy it!
On a lighter note, do you think your “sexiness” is engaging your collectors more or getting in the way of your career?
Next question. (laughs) I will never deny what I am. I like the power I have within and if it comes off as sexy, then so be it… fuck it. I am a woman with the utmost confidence, so hear me roar. I’m not an actress… I am only doing me. More people should do the same, don’t you think?
Agreed. Last question for you, superstar, what is your biggest dream for the future?
That is a loaded question! I may need another tequila. I have so much to do, I just finished a trilogy of erotic novels, so I would like to make movies or a show from them, write and produce more short films based around art and music. I would also like to be represented by Gagosian, Pace or David Zwirner and just grow as an artist in the big, bad art scene. Lastly, I want to be in a position to help others get a leg up… it’s tough for emerging artist, even tougher if you want to run with the big dogs in the art world, so I want to make it a little easier for some girls out there. I have a list of other things I need to accomplish, but I don’t want this interview to go on with everyone knowing everything I desire!
Okay, I know I said last question, but I have one more. Just three words that would describe Hallie Hart?
Can I phone a friend? (Hart roars with laughter) Happy, happy, happy!
***Hallie has her own gallery that’s called HOUSE of HART and is with global giant Opera Gallery that’s in nine countries.
