Today we’d like to introduce you to Neal Hamilton.
Hi Neal, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It began many years ago as a child, my Family realized I had a unique talent for art. They enrolled me into the Cleveland Museum of Art when I was 11 for advanced art classes. When I came of age I joined one of Cleveland’s top art agencies as an illustrator. After 10 years there, me and a few friends decided to open our own commercial art agency “Live Wire Studios” after 5 years of success we closed out that chapter and I landed the Job of chief photographer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
After 10 years of photographing countless celebrities, concerts, and musical legends I suffered a personal tragedy losing my home to a fire. In that moment of despair, it dawned on me to get back to painting again. But the funny part was that I had no tools or supplies because they were destroyed in the fire! That didn’t stop me! I began to create portraits of my beloved rock stars with whatever I could find around the temporary place I was living while the insurance was rebuilding my old house. “Paint Out Loud”. Was then born from the ashes like the Phoenix something magical happened! This exciting art form caught on in a big way! My first art show debuted at the Rock Hall and it took off from there. I’ve been painting for celebrities and collectors ever since.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Lol, it’s never a smooth road at anything we do out here. Art has always been a difficult business to navigate. It takes real dedication to persist in this industry. Probably one of the hardest things to do in this line of work is to stand out in a crowded field of talented artists. That’s when I knew I had to create a look that would not just stand out but get into the hearts and minds of the people who were gazing at my work at various art shows.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would say I’m a keeper of the flame when it comes to keeping our beloved music stars alive with art! I specialize in creative applications of my unique style in creative ways that are different from most. I’m known for my overall love for music and art that tells this historical story. I would say I’m very proud of the amount of good I was able to send into the world with my hand painted guitars for charity. I was blessed with being able to work with major music stars like Carlos Santana, Sir Paul Mc Cartney, Dave Navarro, the Doobie Brothers, to list a few. I would paint their image on donated guitars from major guitar companies, and then autographed by the celebrity then donated to charitable organizations like the cancer society, wounded warriors, st. Jude, just to name a few.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Lol, that’s a hard one! I had so many things to connect to back then! If I had to choose it would probably be when my grandmother took me to all the museums in Cleveland at the time. That’s where I got my inspiration for the most part.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.NealHamilton.com
- Instagram: @paintoutloud
- Facebook: Paint Out Loud the art of Neal Hamilton
