The newest artist to join the Mancos Artisans Co-op is Kevin Hutchins, a painter. He comes from Woodstock, Ga., and lived in Arizona for five years before that. Hes only been in the Mancos area for three months.
Im excited to get back into the scene out here, Hutchins said. Its more welcoming for the stuff that I do.
Hutchins lived in the Tempe/Scottsdale area and also near Camp Verde, Ariz.
I was inspired by a lot of things in Arizona, he said. It was like a door opening for me.
Hutchins is inspired by his dreams, mostly, he said, and his visions of Native American teachings. I get an image in my mind, or I might be praying or meditating, Hutchins said. It comes from my heart.
He doesnt belong to any one tribe, he said. Even though he is of mixed blood, he has some Cherokee in him.
His colorful and sometimes intricate paintings might take a week to finish, or they might take a month. He doesnt really have a set deadline.
It depends so much on the subject and my inspiration, he said. I have completed large paintings in three days, ... and I have even gone back and painted more on something that was completed a year before.
Hutchins started painting for other people to enjoy his art about eight years ago, and he started working with acrylics 10 years ago. But hes been drawing for a long time.
My first painting I gave to my Native American teacher, Hutchins said. That is a tradition that he learned from his teacher. His teacher is part Assiniboine and Ohlone Indian.
My commitment was to work with spiritual guidance and to give my painting to whoever is inspired by it.
Hutchins lives east of Mancos near Cherry Creek Road, and will soon move into a yurt on land that is owned by his teacher.
Im looking forward to creating my own space to paint in, he said.
He came out here to build on a Native American community that allows all races to come together, and he wanted to learn from his Native American teachings.
My teacher has taught me a lot, he said.
As he continues his painting, Hutchins wants to show more of the connection with all life and to just let things be as they are supposed to be. I do my best to let go and open up ... to be the hollow reed for the creator to come through me ... to touch peoples heart.
Right now hes doing what he has to do to make a living, but his hope is that one day hell be able to do that with his art.
I have to paint, he said. Its cathartic, and it lets things flow through me.
He is also working on a painting for The Longest Walk 3, a walk that will benefit and promote awareness for Native Americans with diabetes.
I believe that artists of all kinds are scouts of the human spirit.