Local Artist Spotlight: Devin Williams

It is my pleasure to feature a very talented friend and photographer to you all on my "Local Artist Spotlight".  Chances are if you have ever seen a gorgeous photograph of Nashville or the Nashville skyline shared hundreds of times, Devin Williams probably took it.  I don't think I have ever seen one of his Nashville photos that I didn't absolutely love.  I see the Nashville skyline nearly every day of my life, but for some reason, every time I see the peak of the AT&T building, better known to most as the "Batman building", I still get excited.  It symbolizes something to me.  It symbolizes home.  I think when you see the photos I am featuring below, you will agree Devin's photography symbolizes home, as well.  

MEET DEVIN WILLIAMS

Tell me a little about yourself... where are you from, and what you do?  

I grew up in a small town in Florida called Sarasota. When I wasn't in class, I was either at the beach or on the baseball diamond. After attending a junior college in Orlando for 2 years, I signed with Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee on a baseball scholarship. I played for 2 years and in 2004 we won the NAIA World Series. Shortly after, I graduated with my business degree and jumped right into the working class and right into photography.

How would you describe your style?  What all kinds of photography do you specialize in?

I'm not sure exactly how to describe my style. I consider myself a passionate photographer that gives a little piece of myself to every photograph I take. I think I'm most known for my cityscape images of downtown Nashville, however, I also photograph families, kids, commercial buildings, concerts, and sporting events.

Favorite camera or cameras you work with.

Currently I work with mostly Nikon Cameras. My baby is the Nikon D700. However, I just purchased a mirrorless Fuji XE-1 so I will be adding that into the mix.

What has been your most amazing, touching, or memorable moment as a photographer?

One of the most memorable moments as a photographer would have to be when I delivered three large canvas prints to a commercial client. At the time, it was the largest set of prints I had ever done. It's definitely a pretty amazing feeling knowing that every time someone walks in that building they will see my work. 

 Name another photographer that inspires you and why? 

Peter Lik. In 2014 he shattered a world record by selling the most expensive photograph in History ($6.5million). His portfolio is astonishing and I truly admire his work ethic.

 What photographic ambitions have you not yet achieved?

 I would like to publish a coffee table book of just images of Nashville.

Is there anything else you would like to mention that I didn't ask?

Not really, I just enjoy taking pictures and I'm fortunate enough that people are willing to pay for them.  I am so thankful I get to do what I love as a career.

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEVIN

How gorgeous are all of these photos? Like i said, I am thrilled to get to feature Devin's amazing  photos with you all.  I think we can all appreciate his talent and the beauty he captures on camera of this amazing place we call home, Nashville.  I encourage everyone to check out Devin's other photographs and show him some love by visiting his social media sites and giving him a follow.  The photos featured are only a small glimpse into his broad spectrum of work!  He shares a new amazing photo frequently, and I promise, you don't want to miss them.  Thank you Devin for allowing me to feature you on Native in Nashville!

Website: www.Devin-Williams.com

Instagram: @photographybydw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DevinWilliamsPhotography/

Thank you all for reading!!  For an exclusive chance to win a 16x20 print of the last photo in the featured artwork, checkout https://www.facebook.com/NativeInNashville/

Local Artist Spotlight: Hannah Clayton

I'm very excited to introduce Hannah Clayton to you all.  I am absolutely in love with every piece of Hannah's artwork.  Hannah's beauty truly shines from the inside out and through her paintings!  She is amazing at what she does and beyond talented.  

MEET HANNAH   

Tell me a little about yourself... where are you from, and what you do?  

I was born and raised in Franklin, Tn. While in college, my family moved to College Grove and lived on a farm with a pig and chickens. I graduated from Lipscomb University and have worked at Refresh Home, an awesome design and decorating shop in Franklin, TN, The Art Attic, an art studio in historic downtown Franklin, and I currently work for Medelis, a clinical oncology research company in the heart of Nashville, TN. I know, that last one still throws me for a loop!  In between, I spend most of my weekends painting or participating in art shows.

Why did you / or what made you decide to become an artist?

Thinking back, I don't really know if there was ever a time where I wasn't an artist. It has never been something I wanted to be, chose to be or dreamed of being, it’s just something that I always was. As crazy as it sounds, art is and has always just been that, a part of me. I feel like I have been painting ever since I could hold a brush. My sisters would play with dolls and I would paint. 

 Which pieces of Art are your favorites? 

That is a difficult question to answer because It changes frequently. Every painting I finish, somehow becomes my new favorite at the time, maybe because it’s just that, new. Not to mention the fact that I just get excited that the vision I had in my mind is complete in paint on canvas. All in all, its a great feeling. 

But, to dig deeper into this question, honestly, it usually takes time for me to figure out my favorites. I think I know when I keep going back to look at a painting, and the more I stare at it the more I fall in love with it, and all at the same time, the more I notice about it, and it still remains complex and Interesting.  All that being said, I guess my favorites are the ones that continue to capture my heart long after they are owned by someone else , but still stay vivid in my mind.

How have you seen your artwork evolve? 

I think my work is always evolving. To me, and to all you other type B personalities, it’s a relief to know there will never be a time where there isn't something different to try, or new to learn. I take risks until I discover a technique I love so much and then I carry it over to the next piece of art I create.  Through the process I surprise myself. Just last week I was up late painting and ended up applying some of my bath salts to my painting ( I know -odd) , but the texture it created was amazing.

What is your Personal Philosophy on your art? 

It is important to me to stay true to the artist in me, I don't force art, I paint what my heart is drawn towards, If i am not inspired by it, I don't paint it.  Passion is something I believe drives you to create whats truly inside of you. We all define passion differently, just as I define "Art" in my own way.  Subjectiveness is what creates beauty in the world. Shapes, Colors, patterns, perspective is everything to the beholder.  With every piece of art I create I keep this in mind.

 What has been your most touching or amazing moment you've experienced as an artist?

I will never forget senior year of high school my mother told me we were going to go to stay at a bed and breakfast in Mt. Eagle  for the weekend, and paint. I don't know if any of you have visited there before, but it is in the middle of nowhere, yet it is one of the most charming and beautiful places in my thoughts. We escaped into stillness -no agenda. I remember walking into one of the three shops that existed in the town, one of the walls was filled with art. My mother and I fell in love with a painting of an angel face. She had these beautiful almond eyes with dark hair and olive skin with wings the color of the ocean.  

We sat in our cottage like room with a spread of oil paint and a lot of time. I recall my mom pointing things out that she saw and then I would notice them too. Its beneficial to paint with people because they teach you a new perspective, you try different things, you stretch yourself, you grow...and “wa- la” that is how breakthrough happens! The painting turned out beautiful, It was the first piece of art I had done that i felt proud of and it was more than just a painting to me. It brought me confidence and increased my joy.

I don't recall quite how it came about,  but a lady that attended our church asked to purchase it. I remember I felt excited that another person wanted my painting. It was so affirming to me, but, if you asked me today, I would tell you it is the only piece to date I have regretted selling, it was more than a painting to me, it carried with it a story that was important to me…..

…Its funny how time changes your perspective on things. Even if it is just a handful of years..I use to determine the quality of my art by weather or not it sold, I looked to the opinions of others for affirmation to pursue my paintings. Today I paint for me, I paint because its a part of who I am, I paint because Its a gift from The Lord, I view it as a privilege, This is how I so often connect with the Creator.  I crave to see the beautiful somethings he has to say on the blank canvas. I love to paint in both oils and acrylic. weather nostalgia, joy sadness or hope, I want to make someone want to keep looking at it, in hopes they experience delight wonder or even healing. 

 Anything else you'd like to mention that I didn't ask?

I just launched a new website for my art, and I could not be more excited to share it with everyone! Be sure to check it out and share it with your friends. www.HCcanvas.com  My paintings will soon be available to purchase through the website.  I also want to give a HUGE shout out to Tyler Landon, the creator of my website. He is an professional website builder here in Nashville, TN. So, For anyone looking to build a website, look no further!!  

FEATURED ARTWORK BY HANNAH CLAYTON

I have only known Hannah a short period of time but I am proud to call this creative woman a friend!!  Everyone please show her some love and checkout her pages to see more of her artwork.  It was very hard to pick favorites.

Instagram: @HCcanvas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HC-Canvas-1577695459227295/

You can follow Native in Nashville on Instagram at @NativeInNashville  Thank you all for reading and to Hannah for sharing her amazing gift with the world.