Anderson artist focused on expanding art in community
ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) - Every day, Tanner Lemon wakes up a different person. He thinks it's true for everybody, but he tries to be aware of how he changes and adapts to his environments.
The artist used to start painting without a clue as to what would end up on the canvas. Then he started changing his brushstrokes. Now he's changing the way he uses colors.
"I can't paint how I used to," he said. "I'm just not able to do it because I've already expressed that part of me."
But Lemon, 25, wants to do more than focus on the evolution of his artistry. He wants to help transform the community.
Originally from Canton, Ohio, Lemon was drawn to Madison County because of Anderson University's art department, but cuts meant he'd never step foot in any of the school's classrooms. Despite the disappointment, he made connections with people and saw potential in the area.
For the past four years, he's been making his mark on the city, whether it's with the mural he painted outside of Harter House or painted lettering he's done for local businesses, like Oakley Brothers Distillery.
Lemon believes artists are vital to community development and they should be leaders in progress. He looks at the Fountain Square and Mass Ave districts in Indianapolis as examples of artists and local businesses working closely together.
"I definitely think there are a lot of people in Anderson that want it to change," he said. "They want that with their heart so they're gonna do their best to make that change."
Lemon's way of making that change is by sharing his paintings, drawings, music and design in the community. He was one of the first artists to partner with A Town Center, a community art center and artist cooperative in development that will offer events, programming and community engagement projects.
Program director Sonia Caldwell said Lemon often incorporates Anderson's history and culture into murals and community projects, but he never sets limits on himself.
"I always see him wanting to collaborate with others, which is huge," she said. "I've seen him working with other artists and business people and kind of curate his entrepreneurial side as well, doing things and projects."
At an A Town Center open house last fall, Lemon did a live painting - another avenue he's taken to contribute to the community.
He's frequently asked to complete a painting - from start to finish - in front of an audience at fundraising events for local churches and organizations.
The pressure of creating an image in front of others motivates him to finish his artwork. It's fitting, since he says people are his No. 1 inspiration.
"All my ideas come from other people and from what they're doing," he said. "If I was the only person on the earth, I wouldn't be a very good artist."
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Source: The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin, http://bit.ly/2uKDj6R
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Information from: The Herald Bulletin, http://www.theheraldbulletin.com