Dayton man brings 'highly unusual' art to the Brewery

"The Highly Unusual Artwork of Fox Carlton Hughes," a new show at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, is a collection of recent pieces that were started more than 30 years ago.

As an art student, Hughes took photographs of what might seem to be random, insignificant details: cracks in pavement, tattered paper signs, oil splattered after an accident.

"The unusual composition and juxtaposition of form was of endless fascination to me," he wrote in a statement.

The slides from the photos were lost until recently.

Hughes, now 75, has scanned them into his computer, changed the colors in Photoshop, and had them printed in bright colors.

"You know what this is?" he asked, pointing to his large, colorful "Moroccan Nights."

"This stuff is all me. Whatever you are is translated onto the canvas."

An artist's reception for Hughes will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Brewery.

Sixteen pieces - all professionally matted and framed - are on display upstairs. Two of them are the result of automobile accidents.

"Autumn in Japan" was taken from a photograph of oil splattered on pavement after a crash. "The Chalice" was originally a photo taken of the impact on a building left by a runaway Buick.

But Hughes' work is no accident. He's illustrated 12 Disney books, including classics like "Davey Crockett," "Brer Rabbit," "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Johnny Appleseed." He's currently working on a project with Dayton painter Steven Saylor and a series of quasi-children's books.

Hughes is also a writer and musician. He opened for the Mamas and Papas as a jazz guitarist before he hurt his hand and was unable to play.

He wrote the book "Universal Chord System for Jazz Guitar."

"It teaches 22,000 chords with inversions - nobody else has ever done it," he said.

He and his wife of 26 years, Peggy, moved to Dayton four months ago to be closer to their daughters in Minden and Sparks. The Hugheses picked a house on a golf course.

"We're not golfers - it just happened to be the floor plan we liked," said Peggy, a vocal instructor.

Hughes talks quickly and has too much energy to sit down.

"He's 75 going on 5, that's what I say," said his wife.

"My life is just beginning - I can feel it," he said.

All of the pieces in the show are for sale, for $210 to $1,100. They will be on display until the end of the month. For details, call 883-1976.

If You Go

What: Artist's reception for new exhibit, "The Highly Unusual Artwork of Fox Carlton Hughes"

Where: Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St.

When: 6-7 p.m. Friday

Cost: Free

Call: 883-1976

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.