About Frederick D Hays
My art incorporates a distinctive approach to infusing light and color to create depth and intrigue, striving to capture contrasting perspectives. I use innovative techniques to apply vibrant oil paints on grounded canvas, creating a unique visual effect that makes my paintings readily recognizable in any gallery. In terms of quality, the aspects of my art that are most important include technique, composition, and impact.
My inspiration comes from my rich and varied life experiences and is driven by a deep reverence for the interconnectivity of life. My oil paintings are designed to draw the viewer in and to provoke a visual, emotional, and psychological experience, with a touch of the unexpected. Through my art, I aspire to share the complexities of nature, humanity, and our Appalachian culture with others, both now and long after I have left this world behind.
Biography
I am a contemporary realist painter known for my innovative use of light and color to illuminate and define space to capture contrasting perspectives. As a native of West Virginia, my paintings reflect the history and culture of rural Appalachia as well as the dynamics of nature and life experiences.
The catalyst for my lifelong passion for oil painting sprang from the touching gift of oil paints from a neighbor upon his wife’s passing. I went on to complete a B.A. in Art at West Virginia State College and, thereafter, a Master’s degree in Painting at Marshall University. Upon graduating, I gained widespread recognition as an emerging professional artist. From my first exhibition, my art was featured in the media and shown in countless exhibitions in West Virginia, including invitational and solo exhibitions as well as consecutive WV Biennial Juried Exhibitions. During this period, I received extensive art awards and was named Artist of the Year by the Charleston Gazette.
After considerable years of acclaim in West Virginia, I moved out of state to further advance my art career. Accepted at Somerhill Gallery in Chapel Hill, NC, my work benefited from national attention through notable exhibitions, gallery sales, and corporate acquisitions.
Thereafter, I returned to West Virginia, directing several nonprofit organizations and became well-known for my expertise in the fields of sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, aquaculture, and the world of nature. These experiences provided a wealth of insight for creative expression in my paintings. My most recent award-winning paintings reflect the complexities of life and nature as well as the evolution of my art. My studio is located on a farm in Elkview, West Virginia where I live, along with my wife and a variety of farm critters.
