Young man's spray paints way to first art exhibit

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
This painting of a planet,lake and tree is just one of the many by Hunter Lukenbill of Nevada that is on display this month at the B- Vogue gallery in Independence. All of his paintings will be for sale during the Englewood Artwalk in that city Friday. This painting is fairly representative of the kind art Lukenbill creates using ordinary spray paint.

A young Nevada man has only been painting for three or four months and already he is experiencing early success with his first exhibit in the B-Vogue Salon and Art Gallery in Independence this month.

Hunter Lukenbill, 16, is the featured artist at the gallery in June and will be one of the featured artists during this week's Third Friday Art Walk in the Englewood Station Arts District of Independence.

Lukenbill's work is incredible, especially considering it is all done with spray paint. Vibrant color, motion, mystery and a sense of time and space can be seen in the numerous works on display at the gallery.

Hunter Lukenbill, 16, of Nevada, uses spray paint to create a new painting in the garage of his home.

The teen's interest in spray paint as a medium came when he saw someone painting with spray paint on the Internet and thought he'd like to give it a try. His fascination with science nudged him in the direction of painting planetary visions and outer spacescapes.

Even though all of his pieces are done with ordinary spray paint, Lukenbill occasionally uses a foam brush or palette knife to soften an effect or create a sharper line or special effect.

He also does landscapes, beach scenes and other types of paintings. Some of his paintings are waterfall scenes, through which he employed a new technique -- dragging a piece of paper over the paint to give the waterfall the effect of moving water. He explained that any technique used to make his paintings has to be done quickly because of the quick drying time of the spray paint.

Most paintings take only a few minutes from start to finish.

His mother, Jennifer Lukenbill, said her son paints on regular poster board, Sometimes, he cuts the sheets in half or smaller, but usually uses them whole.

The Nevada High school junior has no formal art training and didn't take art in high school. He never really had any interest in painting, until he watched the videos.

"It's pretty cool art," he said, explaining that he has used a "trial and error" method of learning.

Lukenbill said he has enjoyed the attention his art has been getting, and is looking forward to the artwalk later this week. All of his paintings will be for sale during the walk and some of the money goes to a charity.

Working with spray paint is not very well-known, and Lukenbill said it is seen more in the big cities more than rural areas.

"There is a lot you can do with spray paint," he said. "Just experiment."

Lukenbill plans on developing his talents further, but he is not exactly sure what direction it will take. For now, he just wants to keep painting so he can "create his own style." He is not thinking of art as a career option, but instead a way to make some "extra cash."

It isn't going to get in the way of becoming a science teacher, he said.

Lukenbill's paintings are on display through June 30 in the B-Vogue Salon and Art Gallery, 11100 E. Winner Road in Independence. They are also available for viewing on the gallery's website at www.b-vogue.com.

For more information about the gallery of artwalk, one may call the gallery at 816-833-7770.

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