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NCAA News Archive - 2007
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Portrait of success
Whitman student-athlete displays talents on court and canvas
Whitman student-athlete displays talents on court and canvas
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By Leilana McKindra
The NCAA News
The NCAA News
On the basketball court, Aaron Hazel’s work is a thing of beauty. But as friends, family and fans discovered during a recent exhibition of the Whitman College senior’s art work, his talent for creating beauty extends beyond the hardwood.
At 6-foot-5, Hazel has been a steady presence under the basket for the Whitman Missionaries over the past four years. In fact, during his first three seasons, the Boise, Idaho, native shot a robust 63 percent from the field. This year, despite injuries, the senior co-captain managed to be among team leaders in scoring, rebounding and blocks.
Last month, Hazel gave fans and supporters even more to cheer about when several of his paintings were on display in the Sherwood Center while the Missionaries hosted men’s and women’s basketball games against George Fox University and Linfield College. It was the studio art major’s first exhibition and served as a milestone for Hazel, who had never planned to pursue art, let alone major in it, until he arrived on the Walla Walla, Washington, campus as a freshman.
Hazel initially enrolled at the University of Puget Sound, where he intended to focus on business, economics or marketing, but he made an about-face after he transferred to Whitman during his freshman year.
“I realized I’d always enjoyed art, but never took it seriously enough to pursue it. Once I realized the other majors at Whitman weren’t what I wanted, I decided to give art a try,” said Hazel, who at that point hadn’t received any formal training in the field.
Although he had a knack for drawing, he was surprised to discover a previously untapped talent for painting. By the time Hazel completed his first painting class, he said he felt like he had found his niche, and he’s been making himself at home ever since.
Balancing basketball and art has been tough, especially when the team is on the road, since he obviously can’t bring paint and canvas on the bus. But Hazel said he often works late at night and into the early morning.
German artist Gerhard Richter and American artists Andy Warhol and James Rosenquist are among his biggest influences, although Hazel said he doesn’t try to mimic one particular style.
“I go with what I think looks cool,” said Hazel, who enjoys working primarily in oil paint and using bright colors. He draws inspiration from multiple sources, such as pop culture, modern art and other contemporary artists. “I really enjoy pop art and working with shapes, colors and abstract ideas.”
Hazel’s skill with the paint bush has grown steadily during his time at Whitman. Nevertheless, when he was initially approached by the school’s sports information director about organizing an exhibit to show off his work, the invitation caught Hazel off guard. He initially declined the opportunity in fact because he was too self-conscious and didn’t feel like his work was good enough. In the end, the chance to venture outside his comfort zone proved too much of a lure.
Of the items in the exhibit, three were new pieces Hazel created two weeks before the show. That weekend, while Hazel was busy filling it up on the court and helping the Missionaries collect victories over conference foes George Fox and Linfield, a host of supporters were happily getting their fill of his art as well.
“I was happy to get a lot of positive feedback from my friends, professors and parents,” Hazel said.
With the basketball season over, Hazel will turn his attention toward graduating in May. Like a typical artist, he has an abundance of ideas about where life after Whitman may take him. He wants to get into advertising, something he wanted to do even before he discovered his passion for art. He also is mulling plans for two Internet-based companies and even a reality television show.
At 6-foot-5, Hazel has been a steady presence under the basket for the Whitman Missionaries over the past four years. In fact, during his first three seasons, the Boise, Idaho, native shot a robust 63 percent from the field. This year, despite injuries, the senior co-captain managed to be among team leaders in scoring, rebounding and blocks.
Last month, Hazel gave fans and supporters even more to cheer about when several of his paintings were on display in the Sherwood Center while the Missionaries hosted men’s and women’s basketball games against George Fox University and Linfield College. It was the studio art major’s first exhibition and served as a milestone for Hazel, who had never planned to pursue art, let alone major in it, until he arrived on the Walla Walla, Washington, campus as a freshman.
Hazel initially enrolled at the University of Puget Sound, where he intended to focus on business, economics or marketing, but he made an about-face after he transferred to Whitman during his freshman year.
“I realized I’d always enjoyed art, but never took it seriously enough to pursue it. Once I realized the other majors at Whitman weren’t what I wanted, I decided to give art a try,” said Hazel, who at that point hadn’t received any formal training in the field.
Although he had a knack for drawing, he was surprised to discover a previously untapped talent for painting. By the time Hazel completed his first painting class, he said he felt like he had found his niche, and he’s been making himself at home ever since.
Balancing basketball and art has been tough, especially when the team is on the road, since he obviously can’t bring paint and canvas on the bus. But Hazel said he often works late at night and into the early morning.
German artist Gerhard Richter and American artists Andy Warhol and James Rosenquist are among his biggest influences, although Hazel said he doesn’t try to mimic one particular style.
“I go with what I think looks cool,” said Hazel, who enjoys working primarily in oil paint and using bright colors. He draws inspiration from multiple sources, such as pop culture, modern art and other contemporary artists. “I really enjoy pop art and working with shapes, colors and abstract ideas.”
Hazel’s skill with the paint bush has grown steadily during his time at Whitman. Nevertheless, when he was initially approached by the school’s sports information director about organizing an exhibit to show off his work, the invitation caught Hazel off guard. He initially declined the opportunity in fact because he was too self-conscious and didn’t feel like his work was good enough. In the end, the chance to venture outside his comfort zone proved too much of a lure.
Of the items in the exhibit, three were new pieces Hazel created two weeks before the show. That weekend, while Hazel was busy filling it up on the court and helping the Missionaries collect victories over conference foes George Fox and Linfield, a host of supporters were happily getting their fill of his art as well.
“I was happy to get a lot of positive feedback from my friends, professors and parents,” Hazel said.
With the basketball season over, Hazel will turn his attention toward graduating in May. Like a typical artist, he has an abundance of ideas about where life after Whitman may take him. He wants to get into advertising, something he wanted to do even before he discovered his passion for art. He also is mulling plans for two Internet-based companies and even a reality television show.
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