Meet Thomas Hardcastle | Fine Artist & Hairdresser

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Hardcastle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I had a very scholastically guided education almost devoid of art . The expense of art school coupled with being independent at 18 led me to beauty college .I excelled in the art of hairdressing where today I have owned and operated my own salon in downtown Ojai Ca. for twenty years . I have also simultaneously been a constant part of Ojai’s art scene for even longer both organizing and exhibiting in Ojai. I had decided that the prescription for happiness is individual and I gave myself permission to pursue what i would enjoy doing all day to finance my artistic ambitions at night. The pursuit continues ….

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
1.My art has a long range . I work in series usually for an upcoming show . I cover many subjects in both oil and pastel . Most of the competitions that I have placed with nationally and internationally have been pastel medium. Subjects range from goldfish to icons to an apocalyptic fire horse . What sets me apart are not only my topics but also my wide range of work .Sometimes i can hang aa work next to my station at the salon and a client will say “that’s not you is it?I am most excited about a new collaborative of longtime local artist friends that just finished a show called Elements and we are forming a new show for next year. The production and creation of art can be isolating and so it’s important to create opportunities for artistic community. 2.Through mentorship in local art organizations and exposure to master artists on a local level in a small and quiet town ,I was able to participate in most all capacities in show productions and art organizations at the grass roots level while also exhibiting my own art. This required 3 hours in the studio every night except weekends after working in my salon and doing volunteer work associated with arts organizations that I got juried into .Ojai was a perfect town to achieve that schedule as the town itself shut down at 6- no distractions.
3. Challenge is over come by the energy success brings. Even if it’s just enough to keep you in the game.Validation is part of the finished product and its best to kick it off yourself by exhibition. I have been exhibiting without formal training since i was 24 years old. I continued to take private lessons from some of the finest artists in the Ojai valley including Jennifer Moses, Carlos Grasso and Mariana Peirano .There are areas of the art world where one can be validated by peer review and thats the road I chose .
4It’s impotant to meet the challenges of what you want to paint and perform non commissioned soulful work.Your talent will grow and the art work will enshrine that piece of your soul that you put into it and captured in a medium. I have explored a variety of subject matter and perhaps that was not a very commercial approach but soulful art is usually not commercial .
5. Your expression is translated through art , shared and inspirational to others. The more you pursuit this communicative visual ability – the better your audience understands artistic intention and expression. What I would want the world to know is that i am self made from hard work and the opportunities that hard work presents and always with gratitude and humility..

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well of course ,one must check in at the Ojai Art Center for exhibits and play and the very richly talented Ojai artists. Then a trip to Barts Used open air bookstore will take some time to meander in an out of the nooks and crannies of riches of vintage books . Then down to Tortilla House for the freshest burrito this town has known in 3o years -fresh every day. After that, pop by Delilah Salon if you’re looking a mess from running around and check out my salon . Not to miss Ojai Coffee Roasters and Java and Joe – loved them both for years – locally owned !

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Teri Metala Director of the Ojai Center has been an inspiring force since I met her 35 years ago . I also want to give a shout out to Cassandra Petersen a.k.a Elvira for driving back up to Ojai for 7 years after she moved to get her hair done with me and letting me have a chance to do Elvira’s hair for several seasons. She also commissioned me couple of times for my painting .Ojai has been very kind to me .

Website: thomashardcastleartist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomashardcastleartist/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.hardcastle.9

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Youtube: http://www.delilahsalonojai.com/about-us–testimonials.html

Image Credits
Cindy Pitou Burton