Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wade Hampton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Wade, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

It may’ve been high school. One of my skateboarding friends was aware of my artwork. And had asked of a drawing of his mother. Completed, his mother took the drawing to a gallery/frame shop (Hearne Fine Art), for framing. The director inquired about the artist.

Singular works of art were eventually showcased and sold, which lead to solo exhibitions and works being acquired by notable clients and institutions. This instilled the belief to continue sharing my world, through a charcoal drawing or oil painting, and those stories being appreciated and inspired by many.

Wade, 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?

Defined as a visual artist and a dance performer, it is intriguing, yet not surprising, how the two came to be.

Growing up, my brothers and sister, and I, would move to the R&B, jazz and funk music my father would play. Along with what we called dance, with the encouragement of my mother, my fascination of cartoons, fantasy worlds and imagination, also involved filling up notebooks of drawings after drawings of characters seen on tv, and those of my own creation.

The formative years of primary education through graduate school, forged the training within the arts. While the dance inspiration throughout countless free-spirited social gatherings, found it’s calling and structure soon after.

My visual art focuses on representational artwork. Artwork that depicts recognizable objects from the real world, such as people, animals, vases, or landscapes. This is showcased as oil paintings on wood or canvas, and charcoal and pen drawings on paper. With great influence from John Singer Sargent, Diego Velasquez, Edgar Degas, Rembrandt, Frank Duveneck, and a host of other painters.

The dance performance highlights the NYC-style Salsa/Mambo/Dancing On2/New York Nightclub style. Complemented through genres of Afro-Cuban, Haitian Folkloric, Flamenco, and Katherine Dunham technique dance. Dance is an unbelievable expression of the body, telling a story through one’s movement. It is pain suffered and rejoicing, embodied in one. A balance of the physical which calms the mental.

Whether it is a painting in the studio or out on location, or within a solo exhibit, or executing partner-work and footwork for a dance class, or on stage performing, each focus has birthed countless opportunities. With art clients, working closely with everyone’s idea to create a vision, from concept to sketch, to a completed painting hanging on the wall, is gratifying. And within dance, sharing and celebrating the growth and accomplishments of the students, is another page turned into a timeless book, that travels and is enjoyed by many.

No matter the verse and refinement of talents and practices, it is always the engagement that spawns networking and pushes creation. Relishing in conversation with peers and admirers from a dance class or performance, or an art exhibit, and listening to their stories of what brought them to such. How they’ve evolved, where they are now, where they are going, is always fascinating.

These experiences stand the test of time, towards the pursuit to narrate the subtle and dynamic within one’s craft. An evolution of shared practices of like-minds for an amazing journey.

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

In August of 2020, after finishing an energetic afternoon walk, several bumps started appearing on the right side of my face. Didn’t think much of it. Possibly the result of many cold-sugar drinks during the hot, summer months. Nothing a few bottles of water over the next day or so would resolve. Yet the bumps persisted, only to include more. As well, certain ones were developing from small and red to large and translucent, with occasional reactions of itching and scratching.

After several days, water bumps developed and the itching increased, while spreading throughout the right side of my face. With concern that could wait no longer, it was a Sunday mid-day walk-in to the urgent care. Upon paperwork, analysis and examination, the doctor said, “You’re lucky!…be thankful! You’ve been infected with a serious case of shingles”.

Not knowing what that was, the doctor proceeded to explain it as, “…a painful skin rash caused by the reaction from already having had chicken pox, which may’ve laid dormant for years…”. Along with the painful rash and irritation, were constant random, nerve twitches throughout the cranial area and face, all on the right side. The feeling of the nerves pulsing around my brain and throughout the front and right side of my face was weird, and painful.

The doctor held up her right hand, and demonstrated a pinch of air as she closed her ring finger and thumb to a millimeter of sight, and said, “The virus was this close to several of your cranial nerves (eye nerves)…you could’ve gone blind in your right eye, possibly more…”. She continued, “Thankfully, you walked in at the time you did…”. While the doctor proceeded with a few more checks, medication was brought in for treatment, along with a certified statement and paperwork for my primary doctor’s visit the following day.

Upon the visit to the primary care, the doctor went through with a full examination after reading the report. He calmly paused, looked at me with his ring finger and thumb pinching the air and stated, “Sir….you could’ve gone blind. You were this close to the virus affecting your sight permanently…”. It really set in after hearing the results of the diagnosis from two accredited professionals. Over the next few months, the internal and external medications prescribed, reduced the pain, irritation and swelling to permanent scars, indentations and discoloration. Honestly, had thoughts of losing my sight, and having to pack all my things, travel, and move back in with family.

Although I still bare the scars of the virus til this day, there is no moment that I do not blink and give thanks to the light, color and shapes in front of me. And wholeheartedly, appreciate more and more the gift of sight that was given. Able to see people smiling, in anger, in laughter, and crying. Excitement seeing a sports event. Fascinated with watching a storm rolling through the sky as blue goes into the grey of rain. Only to open up to a sunny afternoon, into a clear, cool peaceful evening of the full moon.

Grateful for God’s gift of sight.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to witness someone as they experience an artwork for the first time at an exhibition. The crowds reaction during and after a dance performance. Inquisitive questions, and gratification on what they’ve learned from completing a dance class. Their reaction as they witness a landscape or still life painted “Live”. The canvas presented as a blank space, and gradually evolving into a completed scene in real time, in front of their eyes.

When one has established a breath, the practice becomes an ease. Upon creating a dance routine, much effort is put into its debut. For myself, introducing a new piece feels like my body is moving fast. Yet, the appearance is slow and stiff. The breathing is heavier and the muscles are tensed before the routine has ended.

After several months of performing numerous times in front of an audience, the mind, body and spirit becomes relaxed. The body slows down. Yet movements are faster, precise and clean. As if establishing control of the music…at times feeling like a conductor. We’ve heard of the phrase “being in the zone”. This may be related. As everything feels of spontaneity, yet control….no thought, just reaction, yet completed.

The same is said when the practice of drawing a portrait or painting a landscape is confidently showcased “Live”. It is that moment when everything clicks. And all of a sudden, after several hours, the artwork is completed when it felt like a few minutes. It opens the universe for the storyteller to create the greatest even greater.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://WADEHAMPTON.COM
• Instagram: wadeseven5/thebaseboard/aportraitontech
• Facebook: Larry Wade Hampton
• Twitter: WADESEVEN5
• Youtube: WADESEVEN5/WADESEVEN5tv/aPortraitOnTech
• Other: Visual artwork at Hearne Fine Art (LR, AR, Garbo Hearne, Dir.). Saracen Casino Resort (Red Oak Steakhouse or High Roller room). Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Philander Smith College. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Arkansas Heritage Museum. Sambalatte (Boca Park, LV, NV). Grimaldi’s Pizzeria headquarters (SDL, AZ). The U.S. Post Office (1700 Main, LR, AR).

Image Credits

Portrait of Self (all black, NY background). – ARTIST’S EQUIPMENT. 1. Family photo w/painting (HFA Gallery Dir. GARBO HEARNE w/artist’s phone). 2. Performance at Clinton Presidential Center (ARTIST’S EQUIPMENT). 3. Today at Apple Workshop/Demo (EVAN GUERRA – Apple Business Team w/artist’s phone). 4. Mambo/NY Salsa Classes (ARTIST’S EQUIPMENT). 5. Artist painting still life at exhibit (DARREN JOHNSON, LVCCLD Gallery Dir.). 6. Landscape of Los Angeles (ARTIST’S PHONE/GROUP SELFIE). 7. Cirque du Soleil, One Night for One Drop, Africa group segment (CIRQUE DU SOLEIL STAFF w/artist’s phone). 8. 12/3/2020 U.S. Law, Bill H.R. 3317 Public Law No: 116-198, Scipio A. Jones Post Office (ARTIST’S BROTHER W/ARTIST’S PHONE, picture taken 2/24/22).