Artist Profile: Raymond Pickens

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Raymond Pickens likes to paint people. In fact, he remembers drawing people at church when he was a young child of 4 or 5 years old. Today, he fills large canvasses with “pop” style renditions of faces that capture his imagination.

He finds his inspiration almost anywhere, from images of celebrities to faces he sees on Google, Pinterest, or just walking down the street.

“Everyone has a unique look,” Pickens said. “I see something I like, and I think I’ll put a twist to it. That’s when the process begins.”

Despite his early interest in drawing, Pickens didn’t seriously pursue art as a student at Cherokee HS or Reinhardt University. Instead, he was known for his ability to hit three pointers as a shooting guard at both schools. He did receive encouragement from his parents and from his middle school art teacher, Penny Stumler Stone, who told him to follow his gift and his instincts. Though he took a few art classes in college, Pickens did not begin painting again until three years ago.

“I just decided one day, ‘I feel like painting,’ and I haven’t stopped since,” he said.

Since he works full-time, Pickens paints when he gets home and on weekends. Once he begins a painting, he keeps going for hours, often until the painting is completely finished. “But the planning in my head,” he said, “could take weeks.”

To create his pop style, Pickens works on large canvasses because “they make a bigger statement.” He explained that he starts with the darker tones, using them to create his guidelines and frame his image. These contrasts capture the viewer’s eye and guide it to the key facets of his subject’s features.

“I like capturing different values in the gray scale. That contrast is what separates my work from realism,” he said. “You get an image that you can recognize, but it’s very different from what you see when looking at something.”

Predominantly using acrylics, Pickens has a broad palette, which is continuing to evolve.

“My earlier works were black and white. I’ve just recently used more color. It’s still a learning process for me when it comes to color.”

To add texture and depth, especially to his backgrounds or to lines and shapes that he wants to accentuate, Pickens uses a palette knife to apply varying amounts of paint. To achieve a grungy, shadowy look, he applies charcoal using his fingers.

Although he might think about a subject for weeks before he starts painting, Pickens doesn’t begin a work with a specific message in mind, nor does he usually title his works.

“I don’t want to guide how people respond. I want people to like my paintings for what they say to them,” he said. “I want people to think and feel what they see when they look at my work, not force anyone to see what I see in it.”

While Pickens has only recently considered himself an artist, his dream is to be able to paint full-time. Painting takes him back to the calling he felt when he was a boy.

“That’s where the enjoyment comes from. There’s a freedom about it. Once I get the face, I’m free. I’m not worried about technique. I just put it down the way I think it will work. There are no rules. When I’m painting for myself, the hours don’t feel like hours. They just fly.”

To see more of Pickens’ work, visit Facebook.com/RaymondPickens or raypicks.art on Instagram.