Learning art from American treasure
GENTRY — Throughout the decades, artist Cecil “CW” Savage, 83, has had a lucrative career in the art world. Many of his works have been featured in magazines, commercial advertisements and even displayed in fine art galleries around the world. Businesses have commissioned Savage to paint murals, and perhaps many townsfolk have walked by his work.
Nowadays, Savage teaches art in his studio at 23911 Westpoint Road in Gentry and still creates art by exploring other mediums such as stained glass and wood carving.
A new favorite is “3D” art in which Savage attempts to bridge the visual arts with reality by blending sculpture art with painting. This gives viewers the feeling that the artwork is coming alive. One of his 3D art pieces features a girl at night catching fireflies. The jar she holds lights up from the festive string of lights that are powered behind the canvas.
These days, Savage creates art from anything he can get his hands on. Golf balls, carpets, glass, and anything nature can give; he’ll take it and make something extraordinary out of it. He draws attention to a little display of a man collecting pumpkins for the fall. The whole scene fits right into his hand.
“Do you know what those are? Those are acorns.”
Regardless of his many decades as an accomplished artist, Savage looks for new ways to explore his creativity.
Many people who have met him ask the same question: Why did you become an artist? And his lighthearted answer has always been the same.
“I was too lazy to work and too nervous to steal.”
Savage knew from an early age that he wanted to be an artist. From his first art lessons in Siloam Springs to the University of Arkansas, where he became a graphic designer, Savage’s education would carry him down a path that would become his legacy. At one point, Savage received special recognition from Charlie Daniels, the Secretary of State.
“I was a guest to the Secretary of State and had a show in the rotunda and was asked to do a picture of the Capitol.”
Savage’s art studio has multiple workspaces for students. He’s equipped each space with desk lamps, paintbrushes, pens, pencils and acrylic paints of all colors. The walls are decorated with decades of paintings, prints and souvenirs that featured his art. One of his first watercolor works still hangs in his studio. It depicts a rooster with two hens drinking from a cascading river.
Savage says the works of Norman Rockwell have inspired his own art. His artwork features subjects of everyday life in an Americana setting that’s familiar to everyone. Each of his works of art tells a story within a story and, to top it off, he sprinkles each one with a dash of humor, whether it’s mischievous children popping balloons at the county fair or bikers at a Las Vegas Route 66 drive-in. His art is universal because it means something to someone else and each viewer will find something new to admire with every look.
Savage also credits the artist Haddon Sundblom as one of his influences.
Haddon Sundblom’s art is best known for his advertising work for The Coca-Cola Company, which features illustrations depicting Santa Claus enjoying a Coca-Cola.
Savage himself used his talents for commercial art and other promotional works. Companies like Bell Telephone, Disney, Tyson and PepsiCo have used his art in their advertisements.
Despite Savage’s realistic style and almost photographic-like depiction of everyday life, it seems his vision is imprinted in his mind. But he explains his works are more of an exploration than a photograph in his mind.
“I have an idea to start with, but it grows as we go … through the process.”
If someone wants to be an artist, Savage says education is very important.
“Take a lesson or two.
And I’ll go through all the problems that I had and how to overcome them.” He also encourages his students to bring their art so that he can give them advice and “critique” it.
Savage also encourages any aspiring artists to recognize their talents and not get discouraged.
“Everyone has a talent. Not just me, not just somebody that does things with their hands. Everything’s a talent, and that’s what I try to explain to people.”
Savage encourages his students to find their unique talents and pursue them. That’s the beauty of art. It’s about exploring the natural talent we all have, whether in art or in life.
Spectators can view Savage’s art all over town. Places like the Gentry Public Library and The Wooden Spoon restaurant display his art. He is the artist behind The Wooden Spoon painting which hangs in the lobby area of the Gentry restaurant. Savage teaches art in his studio, and all his art classes are “furnished,” which means all you’ll need is your imagination and creativity.
He teaches both adults and children too. And his art classes aren’t just painting but include wood carvings, stained glass art, ceramics and more. If someone would like to attend his classes, they can reach him at 479-7368263.