It's a family affair here on TPL! Today I'm featuring Hailey Lowe Fennell, daughter of Janey Lowe and sister of Elise Baumann :) Hailey is an extremely talented artist from Atlanta. I met Hailey a few years ago, and she helped me realize my dream of getting artwork into a gallery, for which I will forever be thankful. At that time she was in graduate school at SCAD and doing the most interesting projects.
Hailey now lives and works in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. It's been such a joy to watch her grow and become the artist she is today. She has paintings at Gregg Irby here in Atlanta. She is also an instillation artist and did a fascinating exploration of animal interactions with technology, which became her "Machines of Loving Grace" film and video still series.
Hailey lives with her husband and gorgeous new daughter, Goldie Elise Fennell.
10 Questions
Name: Hailey Lowe Fennell
Job: Artist
Please describe your typical day:
As any new mom knows, my days never go as planned! But, we are typically up and running by 7am and just going with the flow from there. I love being outside with my baby, Goldie, and going on long walks on the beach - all things that inspire my art. When Goldie naps, I am typically in the studio touching up paintings or editing film stills. Sometimes she likes to join the party - for maybe 10 minutes at a time :). In the evenings things wind down and I cook dinner - usually a combo of whatever I grabbed at Trader Joe's (anyone else blindly grocery shop with their baby and counting down the minutes until they wake up!?). I love these moments in the kitchen, watching my husband spend time with his daughter while I sip on a glass of red and cook. And finally before bed, we watch some TV. I am a TV addict - I have no problem admitting it. Right now we are in the middle of a House of Cards marathon. Addicted.
1. If you could choose one celebrity and raid their closet, who would you choose?
Can I pick a designer? Though she is a singer/songwriter too - Anine Bing. I just love the simplicity in her outfits. I imagine this is what the character Lisbeth Salander from The Millennium Series (Dragon Tattoo Trilogy) would wear by the third book. I too want to wear simple skinny jeans or leather pants with black boots, oversized white t’s and leather jackets all day everyday.
2. Who is your favorite Southern artist?
I’m a big fan of Gregor Turk. I have his plates and bowls that I use as my everyday ware. I’m obsessed with his work from Terminal Velocity, a show that was at MOCA GA. Full disclosure I was his studio assistant during this time. Gregor is quite the perfectionist and the amount of time, effort and skill that he pours into each piece is inspiring. I love these rubber based sculptures made of individually cut recycled bike tubes and wood.
Okay, I have to pick a few more - I’m an artist so I am always around great work and I can’t help but love so many other artists! I really enjoy Sara Camelli and Christina Baker’s work. I was lucky enough to get to know them through my time working at Gregg Irby Gallery in Atlanta. Seeing these two painters' evolve through the years has been such a treat, and I constantly still stalk the website to see their new works.
Christina Baker
Sara Camelli
3. Describe your prefect date night.
I’m a pretty casual person. so I would love to start the evening with grabbing some burgers from Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island before taking a bike ride to Fort Moultrie near the castle house where Patrick and I got married. A little red wine and pecan mocha torte from Village Bakery all on the beach to top the night off.
Poe's Tavern
4. Where is your favorite local place to shop for clothes?
Drift is a great place for jewelry, swim suits and all the casual and cool beachwear stylings you need in Charleston. I love it because they carry some local designers like Citrine Swim and Tor Jewelry and it is great for gifts like candles and turkish towels - two things I love to give and be given!
5. What did you want to be when you were young?
A monkey trainer because I thought being an artist wasn’t practical.
6. I'm a big believer that books can get you through the hard times in your life. What book (or books) made a difference to you?
So. Many. I love to read! A literal answer to this is the self help book “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay. I listen to her books on tape while in the studio to help balance out my thoughts and focus in on the things that I really want from life. Other than that I am a fiction book girl all the way. I love diving into a book that is so imaginative that I loose track of time while reading it. Right now I am reading “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter and I just finished "Invisible Monsters" by Chuck Palanuik. I also collect books by Richard Brautigan. His poem “All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace” inspired my video and film still series.
7. What is your favorite thing to cook at home?
I make these muffins OFTEN. So so good.
8. What was the best purchase you made last year?
We bought our lot to build our home. I am lucky to be married to a talented builder, and getting to design and build our home together was a dream. I love how everything turned out. I want to do it all again! Hint, hint, Patrick :).
9. Where is your favorite place to buy things for your personal home?
Celadon Warehouse is hands down my favorite place. It is the outlet store for Celadon Home and only open Wednesdays and Saturdays, but it is always well worth the trip to North Charleston. So many beautiful things.
TPL Trivia, Sara Crosby of Produce Candles, and a "10 Questions" girl, also loves Celadon Home!
10. What is your main goal for 2015?
To keep my studio organized. It sounds insignificant but I am the type of person that can’t work until things are put away, and these days my studio time is (happily) limited with baby in arms. So if I can be more efficient in the studio during Goldie’s naps then I can feel good about the work I am doing as an artist and a mom.
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