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Stanley Hess: STRONG VISION Stanley Hess expresses himself—strongly in words and images. Mr. Hess has created artwork leaving a lasting impression. He does not try to smooth things over. He is too impassioned. When he speaks about his work, he wants you to listen and look carefully. When he paints, he obviously looks carefully. By Julia Kirt For many years, Mr. Hess has created paintings as well as completed large-scale mural works and constructed finely detailed, ancient instruments. Now based in Tulsa, he creates smaller scale paintings that could be enlarged to the same effect. His work is enigmatic and yet accessible and, he himself is a gregarious puzzle.
AF: What was your first artwork? SH: The earliest work that I remember was a violin I made while in middle school. I bent the ribs out of a bushel basket. The peg box terminated with an eagle’s head rather than the Fibonacci scroll. The inlaid eyes were fashioned form a toothbrush handle. It was a pathetic instrument like those you see on the walls of quaint restaurants. continued page 4
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