Emerging Artist: Hazen Audel

Age: 29

Born in Spokane, lives in Spokane

Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Western Washington University; advanced studies in Coastal Native American Art, Northwest Indian College; graduate studies in Ethnobotany and Tropical Ecology, University of Hawaii at Manoa; Master in Teaching, Whitworth College; Master of Fine Arts in progress, Natural History and Science Documentary Film Making, University of Montana.

Day jobs: Ferris High School science and art teacher; owner of Hazen Audel Architectural Artworks; co-owner of Native Ways Outdoor School.

Describe your art: “I design and fabricate large-scale artistic hardware and pieces to be used in commercial buildings and residential homes.”

Influences: “Art Nouveau artisans from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The skill and thought of my father’s work. I find myself inspired by a number of artists of today from a great diversity of styles and media. Locally, both Harold Balazs and Ken Spiering have been very helpful and are great inspirations,” Audel says.

Talk a little about your process: “When I am working in the studio and feeling very inspired,” Audel says, “I am completely engulfed in my work, losing track of everything outside of the process often for long periods of time and with very little sleep. This all-consuming engagement in the process has been able to assist me with my productivity and success. Yet it also is an aspect of my character that I think makes most people believe that I live a life that is not normal.”

What is your intent with your art? “I don’t have any overall deeply unique and sophisticated message in my work,” Audel says. “My intent is simple: I enjoy working with my hands, sharing my imagination and finding success in the finished piece that reflects craftsmanship and the human spirit. When this isn’t interesting anymore, I’ll do something else.”

Where can your work be seen locally: Entrée Gallery, Priest Lake, Idaho. Public work: Catacombs Pub, Montvale Hotel, People’s Alley on Howard Street near Soulful Soups, bench in front of The Davenport Hotel entrance on Post Street, Centennial Trail and Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene.

Web sites: www.hazenaudelartworks.com, www.nativeways.info, www.explorebiodiversity.com.

E-mail: hazen@hazenaudelartworks.com