CHAD ELLIOTT
Painter - Sculptor - Musician - Author
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Artist Statement
Chad Elliott strives to create music and art that inspires, uplifts and moves his audience emotionally by relating life experiences through dream-like imagery. In his Wilderman’s exhibit series, he additionally hopes to inspire families to think about creating and nature as a whole mind project through painting, writing and song. |
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About Chad Elliott's Art:
Elliott is a graduate of Graceland University in Lamoni, IA with a bachelor of arts in ceramics and has since collected graduate credits from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. Early in his career, he was recognized for his artistic ability by being chosen as the “Best of Show” at the Iowa Student Artists Exhibit in 1995.
In 2008 Elliott created the first-ever “People Project,” an ephemeral artwork for the organization ArtsLIVE during the University of Okoboji Winter Games in Okoboji, IA. During the Project he positioned 175 people on the ice of a frozen lake in the shape of a stylized turtle, which was photographed from an air plane.
At the Guthrie Grove Camp in Guthrie Center, IA, Elliott has created murals with youth. He has also created large murals for businesses including Shaky Tree Coffee and Farmers Trust & Savings Bank both in Spencer, IA. His recent mural work includes two 5 foot by 12 foot canvas paintings installed in 2012 in the newly renovated Spencer Community Theatre. He also completed a 16 foot by 40 foot landscape mural in 2013 on the side of Mohr Lumber in Coon Rapids, IA to commemorate the town‘s sesquicentennial. In Pampa, TX, Elliott installed a mural titled "This Land is Your Land" at the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center.
Elliott has served as an artist in residence for TreeBed Design in Vallejo, CA in 2004 as well as Arts on Grand in Spencer, IA from 2005-2008. Currently he completes commission work from Elliott Art Studio in his home in Lamoni, IA.
About Chad Elliott's Music:
Midwest singer-songwriter Chad Elliott blends folk roots, swampy blues and soulful writing to deliver an original Americana sound. His live performances have been honed over a decade of being on the road performing more than 200 shows each year. Elliott is lauded as “Iowa’s Renaissance man” by Culture Buzz Magazine. He has penned more than 1,500 songs in his career while also cultivating his skills as a painter, sculptor, illustrator and author (Wilderman’s Treetop Tales; Rumble & Flash). Learn more about Elliott's music career at www.chadelliott.net.
About Wilderman's Children's Art/Music:
Wilderman's was created by Chad Elliott. It includes the published book Wilderman's Treetop Tales, which is a collection of original, whimsical poems and paintings. (Think Shel Silverstein, but with more color and a song album.) The book is designed with children in mind and contains both heartwarming and giggle-worthy poetry accompanied by Elliott’s own illustrations. In addition to the book, Elliott also released an accompanying album of original songs based on the poetry of Wilderman's Treetop Tales. Together, the book and album create an interdisciplinary offering of art, music and writing that allows the whole family to embrace wild imagination. Elliott is currently working on the second installment in the series, Wilderman's River Rhymes.
About Chad Elliott's Poetry:
In Rumble & Flash, Elliott shares poems composed on the road. These poems are steeped in archetypal themes like fatherhood, love, nature, and spirituality. Rumble & Flash was released on April 3, 2018 through Yellow Suit Publishing.
Elliott is a graduate of Graceland University in Lamoni, IA with a bachelor of arts in ceramics and has since collected graduate credits from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. Early in his career, he was recognized for his artistic ability by being chosen as the “Best of Show” at the Iowa Student Artists Exhibit in 1995.
In 2008 Elliott created the first-ever “People Project,” an ephemeral artwork for the organization ArtsLIVE during the University of Okoboji Winter Games in Okoboji, IA. During the Project he positioned 175 people on the ice of a frozen lake in the shape of a stylized turtle, which was photographed from an air plane.
At the Guthrie Grove Camp in Guthrie Center, IA, Elliott has created murals with youth. He has also created large murals for businesses including Shaky Tree Coffee and Farmers Trust & Savings Bank both in Spencer, IA. His recent mural work includes two 5 foot by 12 foot canvas paintings installed in 2012 in the newly renovated Spencer Community Theatre. He also completed a 16 foot by 40 foot landscape mural in 2013 on the side of Mohr Lumber in Coon Rapids, IA to commemorate the town‘s sesquicentennial. In Pampa, TX, Elliott installed a mural titled "This Land is Your Land" at the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center.
Elliott has served as an artist in residence for TreeBed Design in Vallejo, CA in 2004 as well as Arts on Grand in Spencer, IA from 2005-2008. Currently he completes commission work from Elliott Art Studio in his home in Lamoni, IA.
About Chad Elliott's Music:
Midwest singer-songwriter Chad Elliott blends folk roots, swampy blues and soulful writing to deliver an original Americana sound. His live performances have been honed over a decade of being on the road performing more than 200 shows each year. Elliott is lauded as “Iowa’s Renaissance man” by Culture Buzz Magazine. He has penned more than 1,500 songs in his career while also cultivating his skills as a painter, sculptor, illustrator and author (Wilderman’s Treetop Tales; Rumble & Flash). Learn more about Elliott's music career at www.chadelliott.net.
About Wilderman's Children's Art/Music:
Wilderman's was created by Chad Elliott. It includes the published book Wilderman's Treetop Tales, which is a collection of original, whimsical poems and paintings. (Think Shel Silverstein, but with more color and a song album.) The book is designed with children in mind and contains both heartwarming and giggle-worthy poetry accompanied by Elliott’s own illustrations. In addition to the book, Elliott also released an accompanying album of original songs based on the poetry of Wilderman's Treetop Tales. Together, the book and album create an interdisciplinary offering of art, music and writing that allows the whole family to embrace wild imagination. Elliott is currently working on the second installment in the series, Wilderman's River Rhymes.
About Chad Elliott's Poetry:
In Rumble & Flash, Elliott shares poems composed on the road. These poems are steeped in archetypal themes like fatherhood, love, nature, and spirituality. Rumble & Flash was released on April 3, 2018 through Yellow Suit Publishing.
Chad Elliott working on the Coon Rapids Mural.
Public Art by Chad Elliott:
Second Star to the Right and Straight on 'til Morning
Sanford Museum & Planetarium
Cherokee, IA
This dreamy painting of a girl drifting into the night sky was commissioned by the Sanford Museum & Planetarium. Visitors are welcomed to view the painting. Chad Elliott created it in 2019.
Among the Stars
Pearson Lakes Art Center
Okoboji, IA
Chad Elliott painted the mural Among the Stars as a backdrop to a stage in the children's section of the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, IA. It is a starry scene signature to Elliott's Wilderman's style. The mural was completed in 2019 and is open to visitors.
Woody Guthrie Mural
Pampa, TX
Chad Elliott painted and installed the Woody Guthrie Mural in 2018. It can be viewed at the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center in Pampa, TX. The mural depicts scenes from the life of the legendary songwriter, Woody Guthrie.
Coon Rapids Mural
Coon Rapids, IA
The Coon Rapids Mural is located on the side of Coon Rapids Lumber at the corner of Main St. and S 5th Ave. in Coon Rapids, IA. This outdoor mural depicts an Iowa landscape and was commissioned for the Sesquicentennial Celebration of Coon Rapids. Chad Elliott completed it in 2013.
Opening Night and Curtain Call
Spencer Community Theater
Spencer, IA
Opening Night and Curtain Call are two large painting installations inside the Spencer Community Theater lobby in Spencer, IA. Chad Elliott completed these acrylic on canvas murals on site in 2011.
Three Cairns
Des Moines Art Center
Des Moines, IA
Three Cairns is the largest installation in the western hemisphere by British artist Andy Goldsworthy. Chad Elliott was on the crew that created the limestone sculptures at the direction of Goldsworthy outside the Des Moines Art Center in Des Moines, IA. They were completed in 2002. Learn more about Three Cairns here.
The Gathering Mosaic
Spencer, IA
The Gathering: Of Time, Of Land, Of Many Hands is a mosaic sculpture project lead by Nina Smoot-Cain and John Pittman Weber. The mosaic was created with the help of local artist volunteers, such as Chad Elliott, in 2000. It is located outdoors at East Leech Park in Spencer, IA.
Second Star to the Right and Straight on 'til Morning
Sanford Museum & Planetarium
Cherokee, IA
This dreamy painting of a girl drifting into the night sky was commissioned by the Sanford Museum & Planetarium. Visitors are welcomed to view the painting. Chad Elliott created it in 2019.
Among the Stars
Pearson Lakes Art Center
Okoboji, IA
Chad Elliott painted the mural Among the Stars as a backdrop to a stage in the children's section of the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, IA. It is a starry scene signature to Elliott's Wilderman's style. The mural was completed in 2019 and is open to visitors.
Woody Guthrie Mural
Pampa, TX
Chad Elliott painted and installed the Woody Guthrie Mural in 2018. It can be viewed at the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center in Pampa, TX. The mural depicts scenes from the life of the legendary songwriter, Woody Guthrie.
Coon Rapids Mural
Coon Rapids, IA
The Coon Rapids Mural is located on the side of Coon Rapids Lumber at the corner of Main St. and S 5th Ave. in Coon Rapids, IA. This outdoor mural depicts an Iowa landscape and was commissioned for the Sesquicentennial Celebration of Coon Rapids. Chad Elliott completed it in 2013.
Opening Night and Curtain Call
Spencer Community Theater
Spencer, IA
Opening Night and Curtain Call are two large painting installations inside the Spencer Community Theater lobby in Spencer, IA. Chad Elliott completed these acrylic on canvas murals on site in 2011.
Three Cairns
Des Moines Art Center
Des Moines, IA
Three Cairns is the largest installation in the western hemisphere by British artist Andy Goldsworthy. Chad Elliott was on the crew that created the limestone sculptures at the direction of Goldsworthy outside the Des Moines Art Center in Des Moines, IA. They were completed in 2002. Learn more about Three Cairns here.
The Gathering Mosaic
Spencer, IA
The Gathering: Of Time, Of Land, Of Many Hands is a mosaic sculpture project lead by Nina Smoot-Cain and John Pittman Weber. The mosaic was created with the help of local artist volunteers, such as Chad Elliott, in 2000. It is located outdoors at East Leech Park in Spencer, IA.
Do you have a large-scale project you'd like Chad Elliott to be a part of? Send information to Alyssa at [email protected].