We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Timothy Hoey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Timothy below.

Alright, Timothy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Folks often see me in the middle of the day out and about and assume that being a self employed artist has plenty of free time. Truth is I am up by at least 5, painting in the studio, and then often painting again late into the night. A ‘regular’ job would give me more free time I imagine but I think I might just be a little too ruined for that kind of thing now. Everyday I put paint to panel, and have drawn and painted every day since I was 17. It’s a joy, passion, addiction, I am not sure, but I am pretty set in my ways. Old dog I guess, not really good at learning new tricks.

Timothy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I had my first solo art show at 17. It wasn’t particularly good or glaringly bad, but it was enough to give me a just do it and see push. Over the years I explored various mediums as a painter or sculptor and generally maker of stuff. I spent years working regular jobs while it supported the creative projects, and learning how to work with various mediums. I’d say I was ‘self taught’ that is no formal education but gleaned plenty of information from other artists, builders, and folks to improve what I do. My work started as ‘snotty nosed’ punk kid statement pieces, and although some of that attitude still exists, I did end up exhibiting in Trafalgar Square on the steps of the National Gallery, and have my work represented by a number of galleries and agents. My work now speaks to all of our general nostalgia and collective familiarity.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I was younger an established artist gave me the advice, “Never be so arrogant you won’t flip a hamburger.” No one owes you a job, no one needs to buy a painting. It’s an honour, at times it can be super lean, with folks holding onto their pennies. Art is the first thing slashed when the economy goes bad and the last thing boosted when things improve. I’ve never been afraid to swing a hammer or go off and build, and even when things are busy in the studio, I rarely say ‘no’ to a fence build project, day of splitting firewood, or tackling a renovation. people purchasing artwork is an honour, not something I expect or think I deserve.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Truthfully, if society wants to support a creative ecosystem, the best thing they can do is purchase art, buy tickets, go to shows and support artists on social media by sharing and liking their posts etc. Buy originals! Buy hard copies of music and books. Don’t just stream music. Don’t be thinking NFTs, prints etc are a good investment. Get the real thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: wilsonhoey.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocanadaartstudio/?hl=en&__coig_restricted=1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ocanadaart
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ocanadaart

Image Credits
all photos shot by myself, with exception of my portrait by Colt Hoey