That’s unusual–even unheard of–for an artist…any artist, but Sherman, a native Houstonian is unique in other ways, as well.

“The truth is," My mother said that I was drawing before I could talk,” the artist said.

After graduating from Sharpstown High School, where he drew cartoons for the yearbook, Sherman was off to The University of Texas, where he majored in studio art. In his spare time, he was staff cartoonist, penning a daily comic strip for The Daily Texan, UT’s student newspaper. After earning his degree, he self-syndicated his “Frolicking Pebble,” running in 18 newspapers across the country.

“At that point, my goal was bumping ‘Peanuts’ and ‘Garfield’ off the comics’ page,” he admitted, saying his daily strips helped him evolve into a good illustrator and joke writer. “In a comic strip, because space is so limited, every word and every line must be meaningful,” he explained.

His cartooning abilities caught the eye of a publisher and, several years ago, Sherman was asked to illustrate a book by popular Houston columnist Ken Hoffman, titled, “Do You Want Fries With That?”

Coming from a family of lawyers, Sherman’s attorney-father encouraged him to go to law school. “Our creative compromise while I was an undergraduate was that I spent a semester in advertising,” said the artist, adding his father was always concerned a career as an artist wouldn’t pay the bills. “After that semester, I promptly moved back into the art department.”

In September of this year, Sherman became the second NHC artist-in-residence in a year-long experience that includes allowing students to see an artist at work, talking to members of the college faculty, staff and student body about art and reaching out to the community as well as producing an exhibition for the spring semester. He will also donate one of his works to be housed in the school’s permanent collection.

Gary Conners, NHC gallery director, is the first to admit community colleges rarely have artists-in-residence. “The program began last year,” said Conners, who directs two galleries on the North Harris campus. The Fine Arts Gallery, founded in 1980, offers nine revolving shows per year, including a juried student show. The Library Gallery offers six shows each year and is also the site of student exhibitions.

“We began the artist-in-residence program, which is usually reserved for universities, because as an educational institution, we believe it is imperative for people to be educated in fine arts and, in particular, the visual arts, which includes many different forms,” Conners explained. “Long after a society has gone, art provides a record that remains intact. Good examples of this are the arts of Pompeii, the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Wall of China. As long as their art remains, an ancient culture, even those we don’t know a whole lot about, we are allowed to know of their existence. The art transcends the culture.”

Begun in 2005, the NHC artist-in-residence program brings someone to campus who have just completed their graduate studies at a major university. “The artists, which are selected from a national field, have the technical acumen of the art but also the verbal capacity to explain the art,” Conners explained, “and they bring up-to-date, fresh information about the arts to our students…plus they produce art while they are on our campus, which is also a bonus.”

This unique experience for the new artist, NHC students and the community is funded by a Title V Grant.

“Last year, the first individual we selected–Micah Guillory from the University of Houston’s ceramics program–was able to work with Roy Hanscom and was able to improve his technical ability,  but he also was there as a co-parent for the individuals in the ceramics program,” Conners said. “Not only did Micah give a wonderful spring exhibit of his work but he was also able to participate in campus programs and benefit students, staff and faculty outside the art department.” 

One of the great offshoots of the program’s first year was that Guillory elected to stay at North Harris and is now a member of the adjunct faculty in the art department.

 “Yes, it is unusual for a community college to take this step,” Conners agreed, “but the program has been the combined vision of our art department and other parts of our campus. “We’re not trying to compete with universities with this unique program. We’re trying to raise the level of opportunity and awareness for our students as well as the general awareness of our community.” 

Sherman said as a natural progression of his style–after working for several years on a small scale and in black-and-white, producing his comic strip–he returned to school for his graduate degree and began to work large with an intense color palette.

How large?

He created one of his works–“august”–on a 30-foot paper scroll for the project room at 416west Gallery. Another–“Maroon Over Blue”–was a 2005 billboard at I-10 West and T.C. Jester, chosen to promote public art in Houston, but many of his paintings are roughly five by five feet and there are smaller pieces as well.

Then, fate stepped in, as it always does. While he was completing his MFA in Denton, one of Sherman’s friends told him about the artist-in-residence program at North Harris.

“I knew if I was going to stay in Texas, I wanted to be here because Houston has the best art scene in the state,” he said when asked how he came to apply for the program. “Right now, Houston is getting a lot of national and international attention for its visual arts,” Sherman pointed out, “and I am thrilled to be in Houston, thrilled to be back home…and I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”

Just as he was gearing up for his residency at North Harris, Sherman’s art was also featured at the McMurtrey Gallery and the show sold out, something unique for any artist. There was an equally popular exhibition of his work in San Antonio and one of his works was featured on the cover of  The Houston Chronicle’s “Preview Magazine.”

“It’s been going great,” Sherman agreed. “Things have been really clicking.”

So, why did his shows sell out?  Why did everything line up? 

“It was the right work at the right time with the right help,” Sherman said. “I have a lot of friends and family in Houston. It was a good gallery and we did nonstop e-mailing to let people know.”

Now, as he proceeds with his residency at North Harris, he’s also capitalizing on the momentum of the last 18 months. One of his works was in Issue #60 of “New American Paintings”–a national catalogue compiled by the curator of painting and sculpture of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

 His work is also part of the Arthouse New American Talent Show, a two-year traveling exhibition curated by Aimee Chang of the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

The work he’s making now contains a narrative undercurrent, addressing consumerism and globalization–of what is going on in the world right now. “One of the gifts of this residency,” he explained, “allows me time to focus on creating work and not get too caught up in the day-to-day of paying bills.” 

Sherman teaches an art appreciation class (teaching is optional during the residency) and likes the relaxed environment of the community college campus. “I like working with the students and things seem to get done pretty easily…it’s not as bureaucratic as UT or UNT, so it feels more efficient.

“My students are as talented and just as bright as the students I taught as a teaching assistant at UNT,” he said, “and even though NHC is large in terms of a community college, everything is more manageable. The faculty is warm, generous and seems very happy to have me. That makes a big difference.”

His artistic style employs a variety of media and themes. Some are immediately discernible, such as “Zipper Tongue and his lost grenade pin.” Others, like “Headset revolt” allows viewers to create their own scenarios from the elements and thoughts provided by the artist on canvas.

As he speaks about his art, Sherman mentions challenges, the exhilaration of creating a strong piece and the meaning of the creative experience.  “In doing the comic strip–everybody grew up reading the comics–and I like the idea of speaking to the masses,” he said.”

“My work is very steeped in contemporary art history but also has a lot of jokes I write back into the painting and it contains sketch-booky stuff. That means there’s something for everyone,” he continued. “My work on canvas may be my way of getting it all out. I know different people see different things when they look at my work. During my show at McMurtrey Gallery, the 22 year olds were responding to one visual element, such as the pop-culture cartoons and the up-to-date narratives while the 82 year olds were seeing the influence of early 20th century Modernism and the sense of formalism. That made me feel really good.

“Over the years, I’ve realized I enjoy the external accolades, but what keeps you going, day in and day out, is trying to make good paintings.”

To see more of the artist’s work and to learn more about his journey, go to www.howardsherman.com.

North Harris College is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive., one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. Online and telephone registration for Spring 2007 begins Nov. 14. On-site registration begins Nov. 27. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit: www.northharriscollege.com.

North Harris Montgomery Community College District, among the five largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas, comprises, North Harris College, Kingwood College, Tomball College, Montgomery College, Cy-Fair College, seven satellite centers, and The University Center.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/10/2006
CALENDAR LISTING: through Nov. 29

Please contact:
[email protected]
281.618-5425 voice
281.618-7105 fax
281.639-6381 cell