Chloe Wood's coastal-inspired paintings have been on our list for some time now. I've long admired her work, so when the stars aligned and Chloe agreed to join this ever-growing community we could not have been more excited. So, it comes as a great pleasure to officially introduce her to you all! Beyond her immeasurable talent as an artist with a keen eye for color and design, Chloe is a momma to three precious boys and lives with her husband in Jacksonville, FL. Chloe is a Birmingham native who studied art at Auburn University and moved back to her husband's home town to settle down and settle into life on the Florida coast. Last week Emily teamed up with Crosby Designs and the installer from the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville to teach us all about hanging and installing original art (check it out on Walls of Wonder) but lucky for us we were able to steal some of Chloes time for our rapid-fire Q&A Pardon Me, Chloe Wood. Continue reading to step inside Chloe's studio and brain on the eve of her Well + Wonder debut!
What is currently on your nightstand?
“Mother and Son” by Emerson Eggerichs, and “Hitting Rock Middle” by Sallie Holder
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
Probably my kids. We are always outside playing. They keep my playful and exploring new things.
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
My childhood was filled with exploring outside. My sister and I grew up in a cul-de-sac surrounded by children. We would make giant cities with chalk and ride our bikes around, it was such fun!
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
Assuming I can have paper, I would choose graphite, because you can create beautiful, dimensional artwork with only that.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
My favorite room is my living room. We have a gigantic sectional for all five of us plus more to fit comfortably on, an oversized coffee table (shhh, don't’ tell, but my boys use it as a stage for talent shows), fireplace, side tables to store board games, and curtains by Erika Powell Textiles that I am in love with.
What is your biggest score online?
When Sea and Tibi have their online sample sale!
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
I love following collectives because the curator of the art has an eye for what is up and coming, you can find some great pieces by artists that are just getting started in their careers. My best advice (this is what I do) is to follow an art source that you love and wait for the piece that knocks you off your feet. Sometimes people think they need to do a custom piece to get what they want (which in certain instances they do if it is size, certain colors, or specific subject matter), but I have found that if you are patient and follow along, the perfect piece of art will come along and it will usually surprise you.
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
MOMA. I’ve done it and it is fabulous… spending time studying the layers and interpreting the artwork. Take me back.
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
The Spectator in Charleston. Their artwork collection is wonderful, and their staff is top-notch. My biggest pet peeve when I travel is being charged $6 in the room for a bottle of water, but at the Spectator, they take care of you for everything!!!
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
A light candy pink. That’s the color I wear. It is muted but not clear, feminine but not high maintenance, and makes you look like you tried.
I can never get on a plane without….
Oh the days before kids when I could read a book….
How did you get into the world of art?
I have always loved creating, but I fell in love with art in High School when I won a little award and realized I was actually pretty good at it.
What do you do to relax?
Stretch
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
When I am outside on the water.
Prediction for the Color of 2021?
A marine blue.
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
I really love to dance, and my sweet husband does it for me… but these days I like a good tapas-style meal, home for tea and then bedtime.
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
I cannot believe it has not sold. The Lion Fish I did for my last show in November. The way the paints blended was perfection!!!
One piece of advice for buying original art?
If you love it, that is all that matters.
