Brown’s piece “Abandoned Truck” reflects on the importance of unconventional beauty
By Hazael Rodriguez
On April 8th, the representative for Arkansas’ third district, Steve Womack, announced the winners of the Congressional Art Competition. Haas Hall Rogers scholar Evan Brown earned second place for his painting “Abandoned Truck,” an acrylic painting showcasing an abandoned truck with dynamic perspective and vibrant colors.
“I’m very thrilled to have placed second. It’s much further than I expected to get, but I’m grateful,” Brown stated in an interview. When asked about how he came up with the idea for this piece, he commented, “The assignment was to observe the texture and reflective quality of a vehicle. But more specifically, it’s an old truck from my neighborhood.” Reflecting on the meaning of this piece, he then commented, “I think it’s important to observe good qualities of things regardless of age, they can still be beautiful despite the passage of time. It is poorly maintained, but I find it beautiful.”
This award-winning piece wouldn’t have been possible without hard work. Brown lent insight into the process behind the piece. “The piece was made by blocking out a grid, sketching the reference, painting a base layer square by square, then finally spending time to replicate the reflective qualities of the truck,” he explained. A lengthy process, perhaps, but one that led to him securing 2nd place in a prestigious and competitive contest.
When asked if he had any advice for those wishing to compete in next year’s competition, he humorously replied, “My only advice for anyone who wants to enter is be prepared to make a speech regarding their art!”
