Transcript (Unedited)
Tom Heath
Welcome back to the Tucson Gallery meet the artist event. Every week we have a different artist coming to the studio. They share all their trade secrets. They meet with their fans, sign autographs, all the cool stuff that happens inside the Tucson Gallery, the proper shops, 300 East Congress in downtown Tucson. And then we always pull them away from their fans for a few minutes and record these annoying podcasts because they’re so engrossed. And I’m like, hey, come and come talk to me. And I have to have a podcast, otherwise they wouldn’t talk to me. We appreciate that, but you can’t miss us. We’re in downtown Tucson, across from Hotel Congress, next to the Alto Theater and next to the playground. So come down, check us out, and if you can’t make it down, check out our website, thetucsongallery.com. It’ll have a schedule of all the live events, all of our artists with profiles, those that have merchandise available online, and past episodes of Meet the Artist. Today we have a sculptor in
Tom Heath
our midst. We have the fabulous hopefully I’ll say this right, Ukiah Hoy, you got it. Look at that.
Ukiah Hoy
Thanks. Nice to be here.
Tom Heath
So you like to play with metal is what I understand.
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah, I think play would be the operative word. Right. I like to see where it goes and what I can make it do.
Tom Heath
How did you get started in that? Have you always been like, an artist or did you just wake up one day and say, I want to cut strips of metal?
Ukiah Hoy
I’ve been making art of all kinds since I was little, since I was a small child. My father, his dad was an animator for Walt Disney.
Tom Heath
Oh, wow. So you got some professional artistic blood in the family.
Ukiah Hoy
Exactly. So I used to sketch and doodle and give him my sketchbooks and wait, worryingly for him to meander them and critique them. I always thought I would keep it as just a side hobby. So when I started pursuing art in college, I didn’t really think of where I wanted it to go. And then I stumbled upon metal for one sculpture project there. And I knew in the back of my mind I was interested in metal sculpture. And it really made me angry and it was hard to navigate, but the outcome was really cool. And by the time I was done, I triumphed. And I thought, wow, I could really go somewhere with it.
Tom Heath
What was your first piece?
Ukiah Hoy
There were these two really cool great blue herons that were made in the same way I do all of my birds. And I kind of started out with all of the scrap metal and knew that I wanted to make herons because I had just had a heron eat all my koi out of my pond. That made me very angry and also inspired me.
Tom Heath
There’s a lot of anger in your art.
Ukiah Hoy
I know there’s sharp objects too. Maybe it’s correlated.
Tom Heath
So these heron eat your fish and you’re like, I’m going to sculpt you out of metal.
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah. Instead of like, shooting the bird and stuffing it. The koi were like, ten years old. That’s an investment if you’re a koi person.
Tom Heath
I am not. But a fish that’s ten years old of any sort seems like quite an investment of time and money.
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah. And the birds are protected, so what are you going to do? And they’re beautiful and majestic and fantastic and amazing.
Tom Heath
So did you make herons and then break them? Is that why you made them, so that you could take them down a pain?
Ukiah Hoy
I fell in love with them.
Tom Heath
Okay.
Ukiah Hoy
And so as I’m sculpting with metal, I was learning about what it does. So it heats and it shrinks and that makes it move. And the way I weld is tack welding from the bottom all the way to the top. So by the time I got done, these creatures had this really inquisitive kind of look to their faces and these personas, they felt very alive. And I used them for a show as a senior in college and now they adorn my pond at home, hopefully keeping herons away.
Tom Heath
Wow, that calls full circle.
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah. It was humble, though. I kind of kept them in my pocket and I didn’t make anything like that for a while. And my art degree was focused on art education because I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do as an artist.
Tom Heath
Okay, before we get into the art education, which we want to talk about, people can see that on our website, thetucsongallery.com but a lot of what you have in the gallery are birds. And is that still your primary sort of object that you create?
Ukiah Hoy
I think currently, yeah, that’s primarily what I’m creating, but I’m interested in how things are assembled, like how the way I’m creating is going to complement what the structure is. So I also enjoy insects for the same reason I enjoy the birds, because you can hide the weld work and make it look really candid and get a lot of movement out of them. And so I’m exploring more into mammals and other things, but it’s slow going because it’s very much an investigation.
Tom Heath
Okay. Well, these birds, I mean, they are incredibly lifelike. It looks to me like there’s like an under, like a base, like a body, and then you handcut hundreds of feathers and assemble them. Is that an accurate exactly?
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah. I look at whatever bird I would like to make and I sketch it out and then I make an underbody, like a round rod structure that resembles its skeleton.
Tom Heath
Okay.
Ukiah Hoy
And then I handcut every feather and I feather the bird from tail to beak.
Tom Heath
So you know a lot about birds.
Ukiah Hoy
Too, I guess, about how they’re put together.
Tom Heath
Yeah, I think how birds are put together. It’s interesting. You come at things from a very scientific and analytical perspective. It’s like it’s not how birds are created or how they’re born, it’s how they’re put together. Yeah, like the pieces and parts.
Ukiah Hoy
I think biology inspires me in that way. Right. Like you, me, plants, animals, there are all these really neat little puzzles that put together. And when you break an animal down or an insect down to its exoskeleton or to its skeleton and start from the inside and work outwards, I’m fascinated by that. I’m also quite the bone collector.
Tom Heath
Okay, we’re going to save that for another podcast of the creepy things our artists do. But I do want to get back to the art education because that’s a primary focus for you as well. You teach youngsters how to create art.
Ukiah Hoy
They do, yeah. So I got my undergrad at the U of A in art education, so I’m one of a handful of teachers that actually wanted to become the art teacher. I went to college for it. So bringing in contemporary art practice into a high school setting and teaching them how to expand beyond, I don’t know, I guess you would classify it as discipline based art education. So thinking outside of the box has always been a big passion.
Tom Heath
And then how long have you been doing this?
Ukiah Hoy
I’m going into my 8th year.
Tom Heath
Okay, what kind of some success stories? People that have come through your class that are I’m not sure, what should I do? And then you’re like, oh, and then there’s like this light bulb that goes off because you’ve given them some path.
Ukiah Hoy
To follow, runs the gambit. So it could be students that were really wayward that didn’t go to any other class and then got thrown in mine and we built a rapport. And then they really still only came to mind, but then landed some cool scholarships at Pima and went to college because of that experience. Or were dealing with really hard life issues and found a way to vent that through art. Or there’s kids that have gotten full rides to the U of A for the College of Art just based on merit because they showed their portfolio to professionals and they were that good.
Tom Heath
Wow.
Ukiah Hoy
And they wouldn’t have done that otherwise. We’ve landed a lot of scholarships and a lot of college placement. I was running the IB. So it’s international baccalaureate art program at Choya High School for the last seven years. And that’s just really in itself rewarding to see the kids analyze life and themselves and experience that through art making. If that makes sense.
Tom Heath
It does. Have you crushed any dreams? Anybody come to you and said, oh, I’m a great artist, and you’re like, wow, you should stick to the theater.
Ukiah Hoy
We call those ones dragons. Those aren’t teachers. We call them dragons.
Tom Heath
Okay.
Ukiah Hoy
But the good ones, I like to pop their bubble for sure. Yeah. If they come into a critique heart like they know everything. I’ll definitely make some really technical digs and I’ve never had a student fail to rise to the occasion.
Tom Heath
Good, very good. Tough question here because we put you on the hot seat with Meet the artist, the joy of a successful creation, something that you’ve never done before, or the joy of your student success. Which one gives you more elation?
Ukiah Hoy
They’re equal.
Tom Heath
Yeah, they are, though. I love my kids all the same.
Ukiah Hoy
I think they both just both as much of a mystery, so you never know how it’s going to hit until it’s done. The kids, though, man, when you see someone struggle and you feel that to your core and you watch them triumph, that’ll get tears on my eyes right now, I have a bleeding heart for that.
Tom Heath
I think that’s good to be in a position that you are and I think that’s why you’ve had so much success. We like to talk about for other artists that are sort of in up and coming mode or trying to figure things out, you have a very busy life. I mean, you’re raising some kids of your own, you’re teaching a bunch of kids, you’re doing the art you’re displayed in many places around Tucson. What are some of those thoughts on balancing? Where do you find the time to do this?
Ukiah Hoy
Make time. You have to make it. You have to carve it out of your day and you have to say, I’m sure about this. Like, I’m confident that I’m going to at least try and see what happens because I think I spent a great many years trying to figure out how to find time. I’ll find time for that balance. And it wasn’t until I decided, no.
Tom Heath
I’m going to do it, okay, that it happened intentionally. You’re never going to be less busy than you are now.
Ukiah Hoy
Just do it and see what happens.
Tom Heath
Okay? That’s simple advice. Just do it. Don’t question, just do it.
Ukiah Hoy
Like a soda slogan, right?
Tom Heath
And then getting out into yard, into the world. So you’ve done shows you’re in galleries like that. What’s that process? Like, are you going from gallery? These things are heavy, so it’s like you can’t just, hey, here’s 20 pieces of work that I’ve done that’s like literally like a ton of material.
Ukiah Hoy
Literally. It’s a pain in the butt and I have really good gloves. We’re talking about upgrading transport for that because this has kind of been a big swoop, even just in the last year of how many things have been created and where they need to go. So logistically, I think a nice suited trailer, but then you get into thinking about shipping and handling and who’s going to take it beyond yourself. And those are all things that are I don’t think you negotiate when you’re like, I made this, I made this.
Tom Heath
This is beautiful.
Ukiah Hoy
There’s so many other little pieces to the puzzle that come together to get it to where it needs to be.
Tom Heath
Yeah. The commercial side of art sometimes is a little bit more complex, and a lot of the artists that we talk to, some of them are figuring it out. Some of them have it completely dialed in, and others are just struggling. It seems like it’s almost like a different brain function of the creative side as to how to market it is.
Ukiah Hoy
Absolutely. And I think it might be easier for some than others. If you’re dealing with paintings, they’re going to be relatively flat. You can kind of guess what their weight is going to be. But when you’re dealing with sculptures, it’s really more dynamic. I don’t know what shipping is going to require.
Tom Heath
Right, shipping. And then the delicacy of these. I mean, they’re hardy, they’re really well built, but they’re also really small feathers on some of these birds. If you don’t package it right, you could end up with a bald spot on one of your birds. Definitely destination.
Ukiah Hoy
If I did my job right, welds shouldn’t pop. But more so, they’re prone to puncture boxes and things because they’re so sharp. So that’s more of an issue, is.
Tom Heath
Getting arms and hands layers. When you first came in because you had those gloves and you were handling these birds, I mean, you honestly look like the actual falcon ear. Right. You got this huge raven, and you’re holding it in a way and looks like it’s perched on your glove. And I’m like, Wait a minute.
Ukiah Hoy
No, it’s a metal one. I do go through a new pair of welding gloves in about four months. If I’m working steadily, though, and then.
Tom Heath
How long does it take to create? I mean, because you got small, medium, large, but let’s just take like, a medium sized bird.
Ukiah Hoy
Like, how long start to finish from first tack to paint is probably about 48 hours.
Tom Heath
Oh, that’s faster than I thought. And do you work on one project at a time, or do you have multiple going?
Ukiah Hoy
I have multiple going. And if I’m making a set to sell, if I’m working for a market, or if I’m making stuff for the gallery, I’ll do things all at a time. Right. I’ll need feathers for three birds, so I’ll cut all my feathers.
Tom Heath
Okay.
Ukiah Hoy
And then I’ll make all my frames, and then I’ll weld each bird out. And when you get systematic, you get a little faster.
Tom Heath
I guess that makes sense. And then the painting of it. I understand you use, like, a car paint or something really heavy. These are outdoor.
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah, they’re for outdoor use. So it’s a candy coated or candy pigmented clear coat that’s UV resistant automotive paint that’s sprayed on.
Tom Heath
I didn’t understand. I know all those words, but not in that order.
Ukiah Hoy
It’s on your car.
Tom Heath
It’s on my car. Okay.
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah, but so it’s really great for Arizona sun, especially because they sparkle in the sun and they last.
Tom Heath
Any drawings you’re still doing? Is it all metal?
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah, now I do a little bit of everything. I’m actually working on drawings right now. My daughter’s dog passed away. It was really sad. So I’ve been working on a commemorative piece for her. When you say that. So I like drawing. It’s a nice respite because it’s not so physical. Sometimes it can get exhausting.
Tom Heath
Well, I imagine you can. Drawing is also you can do it a little bit more frequently. You don’t need a space.
Ukiah Hoy
I don’t need, like, a space, a set up, a babysitter. I could have a cup of tea and a sketchbook. It’s kind of nice. It’s, like, very relaxing.
Tom Heath
You can draw on vacation. It’s kind of hard to well, on vacation, honey, pack the torch.
Ukiah Hoy
Burning my clothes and my hands and my hair and all that jazz.
Tom Heath
Yeah. So when do we see some of this other art? Is that available, or are you only commercially working on your sculptures and I’m.
Ukiah Hoy
Only commercially working on sculptures, so it’s kind of I guess it’s still dabble work for me with my 2D stuff. I think that it’s like an ever growing practice of where every year I try something a little different or see it change a little more into a way that I enjoy it, but nothing that I’m ready to get out and put on a wall yet.
Tom Heath
Is your grandfather still alive?
Ukiah Hoy
He’s deceased. His name was Frank Thomas. Not the baseball player, but the animator.
Tom Heath
Okay.
Ukiah Hoy
He’s a cool guy. So he worked on every movie from Snow White to Fox and the Hound, except for Dumbo and Fantasia. He was a directing animator.
Tom Heath
Did he get to see your sculptures?
Ukiah Hoy
No, he died when I was, like, 16. No, I was 18.
Tom Heath
Okay.
Ukiah Hoy
I was 18 and he was 93.
Tom Heath
Because these strike me as sort of like 3D elements of what you would create for a cartoon.
Ukiah Hoy
I think he would have loved them.
Tom Heath
I think so, too.
Ukiah Hoy
You know that crayola air, dry clay?
Tom Heath
No.
Ukiah Hoy
Oh, man. Come on, get yourself to a craft store. I’ll buy you some. But I used to dabble with that, and I’d make him little creations, so I’m sure he would have been really excited to see where that went.
Tom Heath
Fantastic. Fantastic. And then with your students, it’s been eight years, so are any out? Professionally?
Ukiah Hoy
Yes, actually. I have one graduated that’s at the U of A right now, getting ready to be an art teacher. So that was one of the biggest full circle rewards. She observed my classroom again, and I have another one that just had her first solo show over at the Steinfeld Warehouse. And she’s got her own shop, and she’s slinging art, and it’s amazing.
Tom Heath
Wow.
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah. Really proud of both of them.
Tom Heath
Wow. Well, good for you. Good for them. And I think the foundations of what we talk to these are is there’s someone in their life almost always that gave them some sort of credibility that this was possible or some sort of nudge that this is something they could do. Because a lot of them didn’t come by this just naturally. They’re like, hey, I’m a great artist, I’m going to do this. They had this talent but didn’t know what to do with it. And someone like yourself came along and said, well, you could do this and that, so to speak. Little pushed the bird out of the nest, so to speak.
Ukiah Hoy
Good.
Tom Heath
Yeah, look at that. Full circle back. So that’s why I get paid nothing. So your work is in the Tucson Gallery. Do you have website? Do you have social media? Where can people check out what you’re doing?
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah, I have social media. So it’s old canoe designs on instagram.
Tom Heath
Old canoe designs.
Ukiah Hoy
Yeah.
Tom Heath
Where does that come from?
Ukiah Hoy
It’s an inside joke from way back when I was dating my husband and his mom couldn’t remember my name and she said, invite that girl over, what’s her name? Used kayak, old Canoe, whatever it is, tell her to come.
Tom Heath
One more time.
Ukiah Hoy
Old Canoe, old Canoe designs on Instagram and Facebook and website in the works.
Tom Heath
Okay. And tell the website tip you can head over to Tucsongallery.com and check out all of the work that we have. Some photos of that as well as a nice bio and a little some fun pick photos of you and the family. And then while you’re over there, you can listen to other Meet the Artist podcast. It’s under a media section. And don’t forget to sign up for the monthly newsletter because we have kayan, all these artists coming in once a month to share their talents with an adoring group of fans and we’re lucky to have them here in Tucson. Tucson Gallery focuses on local artists and we are just blown away with the amount of talent that we have here in Tucson. So sign up for the newsletter, check out the artwork, peruse some of our other artists, listen to podcasts and buy stuff. Buying stuff is good, so don’t forget to do that and come on down and check out Yukaya, the Old Canoes work down here at 300 East Congress in downtown Tucson. Miss Canoe?
Ukiah Hoy
Yes.
Tom Heath
Absolute pleasure. Thank you.
Ukiah Hoy
Thank you so much.
Tom Heath
Thank you for listening to Meet the Artist. This is a weekly production by the Tucson Gallery located inside of the proper shops at 300 East Conga Street in Tucson, Arizona. The mission of the Tucson Gallery is to support local artists by providing a space to show their art, a forum to engage with their audience, a virtual presence to connect with global patrons, an outlet to earn a fair price, and an opportunity to hone their business skills. Head over to thetussongallery.com for more information about our live events, listen to other Meet the Artist podcasts and check out the wide selection of art gifts and other items created by Tucson’s modern thought provoking and forward thinking artists.