Tony
Bullard is self taught artist from Corinth, Mississippi & has
been involved with art all his life. He is a 1985 graduate of Alcorn
Central High School. During his high school years, Tony often practiced
with his art about 5 to 7 hours a day, teaching himself the skills
& techniques he uses to this day.
From 1985 through
1987, Tony majored in art at Northeast Community College. Tony really
enjoyed his time at Northeast because it allowed him the chance
to explore other areas of art including watercolor painting &
Advertising & Design.
Although the
subjects he touches on vary, he mainly focuses on local historical
topics, cars, trains & country art. From time to time Tony does
Christian art & portraits, mainly of celebrities. Tony also
thoroughly enjoys drawing original cartoon characters & has
created more than 30 cartoon characters over the years.
Tony &
his art have been featured on WTVA Channel 9 News in Tupelo. Three
different years, WKNO 10 in Memphis has shown over 50 of his art
pieces on their annual Artist Auction in November.
Through the
years, Tony has won numerous awards in art competitions including
most recently a "Best of Show" award in Belmont during
their annual "Bear Creek Festival". For the past 5 years,
Tony has been participated in the LINK organization's annual program
that brings art awareness to elementary school students.
One of the
subjects Tony has frequently done from time to time for over 26
years is the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard. It's one of
his most popular subjects whenever his work is on display. Tony
has met most of the cast members from the Dukes of Hazzard at various
venues. Tony does artwork of other cars including his upcoming release
of a drawing entitled: "67 Camaro".
In 2007, Tony
met actress Suzanna Leigh at a show where he was exhibiting his
art. Suzanna Leigh starred with Elvis Presley in "Paradise
Hawaiian Style". Suzanna saw Tony's art & asked him to
bring his artwork to an event she was hosting in Memphis during
Elvis Week in August 2007. At her event were entertainers &
film stars that worked with Elvis in the movies. .Also, people who
were close friends of Elvis were there. Tony participated in her
3 day event & got to display his work there where the stars
were set up at. Tony did two pencil drawings of Suzanna Leigh for
the event.
Tony has a
series of train art that is also among his more popular pieces.
His most recent train is an oil painting of the G.M.&O. caboose
that is at the Crossroads Museum in Corinth. Another series that
Tony has done is of the Civil War. He mainly focuses on Corinth's
part in the Civil War. However, Tony has done artwork of the Carter
House in Franklin, Tennessee which has alot of Civil War history
tied to it.
The two most
recent oil paintings Tony has done are of former Tonight Show host
Jay Leno.
In December
of 2008, Tony released a coloring book series that focuses on the
history of Corinth entitled: "Historic Corinth Coloring Book
(Volume 1)". He began working on this in 2007 & 2008. The
coloring book is designed to be not only a coloring book, but a
book that children can learn from. Each page has a historical drawing
& a factoid accompanying the image. The response has been very
enthusiastic & Tony plans on doing future volumes of this coloring
book series.
Tony did the
t-shirt design artwork for the 2009 "Crossroads Festival -
Mississippi Regional Chili Cook-Off" earlier this year.
Besides drawing
& painting, Tony enjoys writing songs & inventing things
including board games & card games. He has written & illustrated
a children's story book that he's not released yet but hopes to
in the near future. Tony is also a professional sign painter with
over 25 years experience.
Through the
years, Tony has exhibited his art in various towns & cities
in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama & Illinois.
Many of Tony's
drawings & paintings are on display at the Corinth Artist Guild.
In January
& February of 2009, Tony had a Double Art Exhibit that was held
at the same time at both the Corinth & Iuka libraries. This
double exhibit combined, showcased over 150 of Tony's works &
is the largest exhibit he's ever had.
Tony's latest
project is the construction of his new website which should be finished
within a couple of months. His website, when completed, will showcase
nearly 200 of his original art pieces. New additions will be added
as often as possible. Tony's official website is: www.tonybullardart.com
. Although the website is currently running, keep checking periodically
until construction is finished.
A scripture
Tony has lived by for years as one of the motivators that pushes
him forward with his art is Ecclesiastes 9:10. "Whatsoever
thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..."
