Heartland Studio US is a 1 person company ... me, Gary Graves.
I currently create original contemporary abstract style acrylic paintings on canvas, however when I find the right subject I will create original drawings in pencil, inks, gouache and/or oil crayons.
My creative abilities became recognized in my 7th grade year at Southeast Polk Jr. High School near Des Moines, IA and I received a summer scholarship for classes at the Des Moines Art Center. The next 4 years my family moved to 4 different school systems but none of them had any kind of fine arts program like I'd enjoyed at SE Polk ... but fortunately, we returned to that same school system for the remainder of my high school years. In My Jr. year I was voted the first Art Club President of the newly formed SE Polk Art Club, and at the end of that year received my 2nd summer scholarship for classes at the Des Moines Art Center. My Senior year was pretty busy (I had to take College prep English, but all of my other classes were IS (independent study) Art classes as I'd already taken all available in my Jr. year ... I wasn't eligible for a scholarship the following summer as I would be out of the school district when May came around, but I was asked to create 3 pages of illustrations for my graduating classes 1972 Year Book and also graduated Outstanding Senior in His Class, a recognition read during my graduation ceremony.
The next few years I attended Grand View College (before it became a University) on a part time basis majoring in Art/Art Education and was again voted Art Club President one year. During my times as Art Club Presidents the group went out to local neighborhoods on selling missions to raise money for Group trips to surrounding cities - in high school we raised enough money for the group to take a 3-day trip to Kansas City where we spent most of the time at the Nelson Gallery of Fine Art, but also hit the Plaza for dinners; in college the group was able to go to Chicago where we stayed at The Drake(!) and spent both full days at the Art Institute of Chicago - these trips made massive impressions on all of our relatively young minds!
The 40+ years after that I worked in the retail world (for the money, like everybody else) but have always looked forward to a time when I could refocus myself on creating virtually full time again ... and that time is now. I started planning this next stage in my life last fall and have already finshed and ready to show several pieces I consider worthy to be seen, appreciated and owned by this new generation of patrons.
I appreciate all levels of artistic endeavor and look forward to seeing all of its various forms at the shows I'm participating in ... maybe I'll have the pleasure to see yours soon.
