By Sally Curtis
Bob Hooker speaks to Killington Arts Guild members about his unique, and often experimental techniques creating art at a recent gathering at the Killington Gallery.
By Gerrie Russell
The April meeting of the Southern Vermont Chapter of American Pen Women was recently held at the Art Gallery located above Base Camp Outfitters in Killington. The National League of American Pen Women is an organization of professional artists, composers and writers. It was founded in 1897 and is dedicated to it’s mission of serving communities through the arts.
After sharing lunch the members and their guests enjoyed a presentation by local artist Bob Hooker, a founding member of The Vermont Abstract Connection. His work is part of major shows throughout Vermont.
Like many artists, Hooker’s initial interest in art did not come through formal training. In fact, his inspiration came from paint by number kits. He now has quite a collections of both paint by number paintings and string art. However, he has moved on to abstract creations using wallpaper, house paint, paper cups stuffed with newspaper that he sometimes set on fire to get free form shapes that he then paints. He started out using canvas but now also uses paper pulp attached to wire forms. (The paper pulp is mixed up in a Cuisinart in his kitchen.) He adds scrap metal that he finds on Vermont roads and anything else that catches his eye on any given day. Most of his work is three dimensional and his favorite part is the problem solving that comes with wanting to achieve certain effects.
Like many artists, Bob Hooker’s creative juices keep flowing into new areas and now weaving is receiving his attention.
Currently some of his work is hanging in the gallery run by the Killington Arts Guild, located above Base Camp Outfitters and Cabin Fever Gifts on Route 4 across from the Killington Road. The Guild offers local artists the chance to show their work and offers visitors to the area a chance to enjoy their work. The gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information visit www.killingtonartsguild.org.
