Last Friday, I began a collaboration with Grady Haugerud, doing “mixed media” artwork on canvas. Atlanta’s influential, prominent artist, after living and working in New York for a few years, Grady works on his art in Panama now. When he lived in Atlanta, he and I travelled in the same art circles. We knew the same people, artist retreats, galleries and stories. At one time, he collaborated with another painter friend of mine and the results were amazing.
I had never met Grady Haugerud. After he moved to Panama, I gradually got to know him on social media, mainly on Facebook. We would post photos of our paintings and he liked my work; I liked his. We obviously shared the same aesthetic. As well as heritage. He’s half Norwegian and I am close to half.
Anyway, back to last Friday. We met each other for the first time. And for a few days, we worked on the above painting together. It is called “Multiple Gorillas,” oil, acrylic, collage, charcoal, China marker, graphite, pastel and sharpie on canvas, 36” x 48”, 2016.
All Rights Reserved, Hollis Hildebrand-Mills/Grady Haugerud, Copyright 2016
Hollis Hildebrand-Mills 
How fun that must have been to work together, Hollis. Great piece! Now you have me curious how Grady likes living in Panama. I have a friend who’s been considering relocating.
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Well Jill, he loves it! While I was with him I kept saying,”It’s hot.” He kept saying, “Yes. it’s hot. It is hot.” (But had me turn the a/c up to 76) so I guess in Panama, it is hotter.
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LOL! I think I’d miss the change of seasons.
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You work so well together!
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I know. I think Grady is probably the only one I would like to collaborate with. We talked about adding a third person, but plans are vague. It was fun working with Grady. Doug mentioned that there is a little bit of gloom to it. And I said I think it is because of our Norwegian heritage. We couldn’t escape a little of that. 🙂
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Hollis, as I said earlier on FB, this is a fantastic collaboration! I’m so glad you posted the entire canvas within the perspective of you both standing next to it; I hadn’t realized til now what a large scale the canvas is. I really love it – the overall “swirling” oval composition, the abstracted critters – and the muted pinks of your palette. Even though distance is a consideration, I’d love to see more future collaborative works from you and Grady!
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Thanks, Patricia. Yes, we both have decided to do some more work together. It went really well. I think scale has a lot to do with it. That is why I did post the two photos of us. Because “in person,” it really is pretty amazing because of the scale. I think we have a prospective buyer already.
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Excellent, Hollis!!
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Love it! Spied this on Instagram which I’m just about working out how to use…
Must be weird working with someone else like this but it obviously works. Will be in touch soon xxx
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Hey Jenny. Not weird; yes, but I don’t think I could work with anyone else. I bought your son’s book. Love the reviews. Should come next week. Very excited.xxx
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I really liked working with Hollis. I think another collaboration is brewing for this March. I’m very excited.
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Me too, Grady. I can’t wait!
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Grady, it looks like we will have to postpone our collaborative effort for a while. The work I am doing, I have to do alone this time. 😦
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great combination, colorful, showing value and wonderful meaning…
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Thank you, mihrank !
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