Elizabeth Hubbard: FACES of Birmingham
Local artist Elizabeth HubbardΒ imparts herΒ wisdom, experience and kind heart on her young students. And she's recently discovered the beauty of cashmere!
A self-taught artist who was born with a 96 percent hearing loss, Elizabeth Hubbard sees the beauty around her and expresses it through art. InΒ her art classes offered at Studio on Linden, she aims to help others find the artist in themselves, too. A wife and mother of two boys, Elizabeth lives life out loud.Β Welcome, Elizabeth!
Where did you grow up and what brought you to Birmingham?
I grew up in Birmingham. I attended college at Brenau College in Gainesville, GA, because of my hearing issues. Itβs an all-girls school with a small student-teacher ratio. I met my husband in Gainesville, and after starting our family, we moved to back to Birmingham in 1996.
How did you get your start as an artist?
I have always loved to create with my hands for as long as I can remember, but how I actually started as a true artist was after my college days at Brenau College. I was a graphic arts major and have always loved to paint. After college, meeting my husband, working at a graphic arts firm in Gainesville and having two young sons, I took a Raku pottery class for fun at the Quinlan Art Center and instantly fell in love with it. When we moved back to Birmingham, I worked at my momβs shop β The Cook Store of Mountain Brook β where I did childrenβs cooking classes and birthday parties, but really wanted to do something more with my first love, which is working with clay. I talked to my husband about it, had his full support, and took off in my dadβs truck to AtlantaΒ where IΒ bought my kiln, a thousand pounds of clay, tools and glazes. I started experimenting and creating pieces out of clay. To imagine working with a block of clay to create something beautiful is so rewarding, itβs kind of like life to me. You have total control, but you really do not know how the finished look will turn out. Every piece is truly unique.
How has your hearing loss contributed to your success?
I was born with 96 percent hearing loss in both ears, and Iβm able to hear with one hearing aid. Even with years and years of speech therapy growing up, at 52, Iβm still learning how to say words the correct way. I learned to read lips at a very young age. My hearing loss is a big part of me; it is who I am, and I do not know any other way. Some may see it as a disadvantage, and Iβll admit it has been tough growing up being hearing impaired, but I use it to motivate myself to push even harder. I try to instill my imperfections in my own artworks because it comes from within me. I take the same approach with the kids that I work with in art classes. I always tell them never to make fun of other peopleβs artwork because it comes from the heart. I tell them that we all can draw/paint trees, but no two trees are alike. Everyone has their own style. I always stress the importance of helping others when they canβt help themselves. I have had friends and other artists help me along the way by supporting me, and I feel their positive energy, which keeps me motivated.Β Thatβs why Iβm always in awe of other artists and their styles and love supporting other local artists. Just come look at my house. I have artwork from just about every artist I know and some artists that I have not met. I just try to help other people succeed as others have done for me. One of my favorite quotes that truly inspires me in my work is by Helen Keller: βThe best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.β
You paint, make pottery and jewelry. Do you have a favorite medium?
My favorite medium is Raku pottery. Itβs the most spontaneous one of all β and full of surprises β although each medium has prompted me to teach childrenβs painting classes at Studio on Linden. I love watching the kids create awesome paintings and seeing the excitement on their faces when they complete one. Iβm always stressing to the kids to try new things, add more paint to create texture, do not be afraid to mix colors and just go with it. They are fearless. Hopefully, the lessons in art will help themΒ later in life. As adults, we can learn from them; I know I have. As Pablo Picasso said, βEvery child is an artist. The problem is staying an artist when you grow up.β
Whatβs the best piece of advice youβve ever been given?
Iβm always getting advice from everyone, so I really do not have any special advice that stands out, but I do have my own personal words to live by: Kill with kindness. Always, always, laugh at yourself. No one is perfect. Be true to yourself, flaws and all.
What upcoming local event are you most looking forward to?
One of my favorite summertime events that I look forward to is teaching Kids Art Camp at Trinity United Methodist Church. Itβs a weeklong camp where the kids get to do everything from clay, paintings, collages and much more. I try to bring the creativity out of every child.
Favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?
I enjoy entertaining and relaxing at the house with friends and a great meal cooked by my husband. We have several friends that we swap cooking adventures with. Itβs more like a cook-off with the guys.
Whatβs your favorite local restaurant?
My favorite lunch spot is Johnnyβs, and my favorite dinner spot is 26.
What is your βmust haveβ purchase for winter?
I have never owned a cashmere sweater until recently. It was my βmust have, gotta haveβ splurge. Itβs my absolute, all-time favorite sweater!
What books are you currently reading?
The most recent one that I have read was an inspirational book called Fight On, written by M.H. Clark.Β I do not read a lot except when Iβm at the beach. I take my hearing aid out, and Iβm in total silence while reading on the beach in my chair completely drawn into the book, like Iβm one of the main characters. Itβs nice to have total silence, which is a HUGE luxury to me. I know parents of young kids are a wee bit jealous of this.
Do you have any personality quirks or irrational fears?
Elevators, heights and being in the total dark. I will take stairs before I ride the elevator. Thank goodness I do not live in New York City.
Name three things you canβt live without, excluding faith, family and friends.
Art. Itβs like air to me. Cokes β¦ I no longer drink coffee (due to drinking way too much of the fine-flavored coffees from The Cook Store!). So I have two Cokes in the morning. And Baby Bites from Pastry Arts!
Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth! Find out more about the art classes, birthday parties and art camp she offers at her studio on Linden Avenue by contacting her atΒ [email protected] and checking out her Facebook page.Β
And thanks to Beth Hontzas for the fabulous photos!
