GO Getter: Zoe Hawk

If Springfield has a bohemian heartbeat, it’s probably beating on Commercial Street in the chest of this 25-year-old artist.

If Springfield has a bohemian heartbeat, it’s probably beating on Commercial Street in the chest of 25-year-old artist Zoe Hawk. The Missouri State-trained, second-generation painter lives in a loft, is inspired by the midnight rumbling of trains, serves drinks at MudLounge and teaches ballet to make ends meet and is the drummer in a new all-female band called The Odettes. It’s not the Moulin Rouge, but it’s close enough for us.

Where have you shown your work in Springfield?
I had a show at the MudHouse [that ended April 18]. I’ve shown at the Missouri State Gallery a couple of times and I had a show at Park Central Gallery…I think I’m going to have a painting in the Darklight Gallery when it opens.

What else do you do?
I used to work at MudHouse, now I’m at MudLounge; I go back and forth from there and the ballet school [Springfield Ballet] where I teach. I grew up doing ballet.

Do you name your paintings? [I point at one of a scowling woman in a pretty patterned dress]
What would that one be called? I haven’t named it. I think “Heart-Print Dress.” Instead of being cute little hearts [all over her dress] it’s real anatomical hearts.

She doesn’t really look mean, just doesn’t want her picture taken.
That’s sort of what I was going for, kind of a really really hyper-feminine imagery, pink dresses and dolls contrasted with these internally contemplative figures.

What’s your favorite color to paint with? Do artists have a favorite color? Are you like, “A ha! I’m using blue now! There’s so much I can do with blue!”
You know, Picasso went through his blue period. I can’t say I’ve had anything like that, but there is this color of green. I’m totally addicted to that color. It’s…let me find the pigment…“Green Earth Hue!” I mix it with other colors, mix yellow and white in there. I’ve had some professors get on me for using it too much.

What kind of music do you play while you paint?
Actually, I really like listening to books on tape. I listen to a lot of Harry Potter. Someday I’ll come up with some Harry Potter-inspired artwork.

[Pointing to a drum set by the windows] Do you play the drums?
Yeah [laughing]. I started learning last summer. A couple of friends of mine were starting this all-girl band called The Odettes. We’re having our first show April 27 at The Belmonte!

Do you have models that you use or do the figures come from your head?
I have to work from life. Usually my friends pose for me. They’re very generous and kind and usually I just have to buy them sushi and they’ll pose for me.

Do they sit still?
Yes. It’s kind of an awkward pose [motioning at the photograph in the picture, above]. What I did was set up a laptop and played movies for her.
—Matt Lemmon