In junior high, Richard Hight's math teacher left his classroom and challenged him to draw over the homework assignment on the chalkboard. Not knowing how long she'd be gone, Hight drew all over the board as fast as he could. It was these fast chalk-drawing skills that led Hight to begin doing talent shows, out of which he eventually made a career.
Hight is a performing visual artist who paints larger-than-life canvases to music in minutes, using the visual images to reinforce the positive messages he communicates. Hight will visit Ohio University's Baker University Center tomorrow night as part of the Moms Weekend festivities.
Hight started doing these inspirational performances about 20 years ago, he said. He uses his artistic talent to back his positive messages, which he caters to the organization for which he is contracted.
The art is kind of my hook so I can gain the respect to speak in these people's lives
he said.
Hight said he tries to finish his drawings in less than 15 minutes ' the equivalent of three or four songs. He tries not to give away the final picture until the last few strokes are drawn. His paintings reflect and complement the topic he discusses with the crowd.
Because it is Moms Weekend, Hight will perform around a topic that reflects the spirit of motherhood he said, adding that he hopes to look at the caring and nurturing of mothers.
Although he thinks of several things to discuss before the performance, Hight sometimes doesn't know which he'll use until the moment he hits the stage.
Once the magic goes it starts to work
and I think the audience can feel that something magical is happening there
he said.
Hight will perform tomorrow with Jazz Spoken Here, said Chad Barnhardt, assistant director of Baker Center. This is the first time that the center will see two artists in two genres complementing each other, he said.
Baker Center decided to bring Hight to expose students and their mothers to the arts and to show that art can occur in nontraditional venues, Barnhardt said.
Hight said that his unique performance of combining motivational speaking and art sets him apart from other acts. He performs to a sight-and-sound generation
and people are used to experiencing the visual with sound. His method has been successful so far, he said.
Art is a language
so I'm just trying to speak the language of the culture of the event that I'm at
Hight said.
17
Archives
