What Does the Logo for the Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony Stand for?

Onicas Gaddis has only one photograph from his childhood. "This is me and my two brothers, Bart and Phillip, and my sis Josephine – before I was taken away," he said.

The photo is blurry, his siblings' faces like a misty dream. When he said good-cheerio to his family, he had only his retention to keep them. Today, faces are frequently embedded in his paintings, many of them larger than life. It is one of the elements that brand his work so compelling. unnamed-4

"The faces correspond the by. The next affiliate in my life. The people that I collaborate with on a daily basis," said Onicas. "My children. Love. Some people in Pittsboro have shown themselves in my work."

His difficult past led him to become an artist. "It's how I get rid of all the pain that could have destroyed me," he said.

onicas8 Onicas was born in Alabama in 1975 on his mother Mattie Pearl's altogether. She struggled to enhance 12 children on her ain and, as a immature boy, he and his 3 youngest siblings were placed in foster care.

Conditions with his new family were unbearable. At times Onicas was and then hungry, he stole scraps of food from the dogs. Savage whippings were frequent. Feeling hopeless, he attempted to take his own life. Eventually he was removed and he spent the next several years in various grouping homes. unnamed-7

When he was sixteen, he went to live with his two brothers Phillip and Bart and their foster female parent Margie Lee. By this time, Onicas already knew he wanted to be an creative person. He would skip the usual high school parties to stay home and sketch pictures from the family bible.

Community college followed high school. Then an opportunity to pigment with the Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony in Kellyton, Alabama affirmed unnamed-37 his path. A group of artists, including the Colony'due south namesake 'Miss Sarah,' met weekly at an old middle school in the gym. "Artists would gear up their easels and enjoy hours of classical music, painting and each others company," Onicas said. "I used this time to learn and to not think most the finished piece – but joy and discovery."

A desire to be near his two children, Royal and Roman, brought him to North Carolina. A desire to alive in a creative customs brought him to Chatham County. Hither he has been quickly embraced as a painter, a poet, an writer and a rapper.

"I use the term 'spiritual expressionism' to depict my work…My work is honest and every stroke of the brush or pen is true."

From the creative person:

Full name: Onicas Gaddis onicas29

I currently live: one day at a time.

I grew up: with a potent passion for art.

A childhood retentivity I cherish is: leaving my first foster dwelling.

I knew I was an artist when: at age seven, someone sat me downwardly at a table and drew a cowboy and an Indian in front end of me. I never looked up to run across who information technology was but I can recall it like it was yesterday. At that moment, I decided that that'due south what I wanted to do with my life.

My childhood impacted my fine art in that: it gave me thick skin. The art globe can sometimes be a harsh reality. My childhood prepared me for some tough times to follow.

I am currently working on: convincing the Northward Carolina Museum of Fine art to show my work. Publishing my second book.

I'd like readers to know: I'k 41 years old. I am a descendant of the Florida Highwaymen (South. M. Wells). I am besides known every bit "Ruby Leaf, The Poet"

I am nigh proud of: that I never gave upward on my art.

I pigment and play music considering: I love to dance while I'm painting.

I am inspired by: my want to provide for my kids.

Most people don't know I: have a painting priced at $1,000,000 (it'south in Blueish Dot Coffee now) and another one priced at $200,000.

*When he isn't making art, you might find Onicas working at the Chatham Marketplace*

My favorite places to hang out in Chatham County are: The Mod, Blue Dot Java, 580 Craft Beer, The Co-op, The Joyful Jewel, Liquidambar.

Three Chatham County artists I admire are: Sheila Fleming, Nathalie Worthington, Julia Kennedy, etc . . .

Ten years from now you'll observe me: painting in Paris.

View Onicas' fine art:

onicas1 The Red Door Books in Saxapahaw is featuring a gallery of his work through October 2016. A painting titled "Onicasso" is currently hanging in the Jackson Press shop in Pittsboro. Yous'll besides find his art at 580 Arts and crafts Beer, Bluish Dot Java and The Mod in Pittsboro.

Read his books:

Onicas' autobiography is titled "Who Am I?" and is available on-line. His second book, "From the Beach, to the Bricks," is scheduled to be published presently. Information technology will depict his move from Florida to Northward Carolina.

Listen to his music:

Links: