Episode 64: Werrick Armstrong - Faith & Inspiration

"All of us as artists have inspiration that comes from a myriad of places. I felt just through a couple situations that had occurred, where I had not intended to do something, that the art had taken a life of its own separate from me. And I had seen the positive aspects associated with it, so it encouraged and motivated me to work hard to stay out of the way and to allow the inspiration to take place. And then once I acted on it the next piece was available to me. I think that’s one of the reasons I have been so prolific is because I was open and receptive to the inspiration and I didn’t question it and I acted on it."
Werrick Armstong (https://www.instagram.com/werrickarmstrong/) is somewhat of an outsider artist who spent most of his life in business, but then retired and shifted his focus to art for the last 20 years. With his wife of 50 years he splits his time between Spicewood just northwest of Austin, and Marfa (http://marfachamber.org/#history), an unassuming art and architecture mecca in far west Texas visited by people from all over the world. Werrick creates large and often physically and emotionally elaborate 2d and 3d works that deal with a variety of subjects that he is passionate about. Ultimately he feels he’s really just a tool to create the art, guided by his faith and a higher power.
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/tksmvssM.jpg Werrick in his Spicewood stuido with a piece about mass shootings.
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/ZOfCFmNl.jpg King of the Jews
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/u_WDlhIS.jpg Werrick and your host, Scott David Gordon!
Some of the subjects we discuss: Meeting in Marfa Dad & Vietnam Leaving business world Starting to paint Fear and risk You need to just see it Staying out of the way An attitude of faith Piece of Christ Intent of the piece Having faith There’s more inside Challenges Artistic skills Success Marfa/gallery Worldly visitors Architecture A real oddity Holocaust piece Relationships Using your words Humility and pride Pastors coin story The art world Stewardship Guided practice Marriage/giving up Spirituality/soul How to contact Thanks
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/qh9qocly.png WERRICK Art gallery in Marfa, Texas 100 East San Antonio Marfa, TX 79843 512-563-9403 Werrick.armstrong@gmail.com Contemporary art by Werrick Armstrong. Hours are variable–look for the “open” sign or by appointment
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian (http://stankillian.com/main/) Support this podcast. (http://www.austinarttalk.com/supportpodcast)