See why emerging Birmingham artist Chip Hudson’s art is on display in Chicago

It’s no secret that Birmingham is brimming with talented artists. Meet Chip Hudson, a local who has presented at the Bham Art Crawl, Studio 2500, and was recently selected to display his art in a Chicago Emerging Artists exhibit.

Always Obsessed with Art

Since he can remember, Chip Hudson created art. In the beginning, it was doodling, until one day Chip asked his art teacher if he should take her painting class. After reviewing his material, she told Chip that he doesn’t need a class–he needs a brush, some paint and a canvas.

Chip took her advice and simply created art whenever and wherever he could. For instance, he created the album art and t-shirt designs for his band.

Then, something happened that would change his life forever.

A Spiraling Depression

In the early 2000s, Chip had a long string of terrible incidents. In this time period, he broke his back, separated from his then-wife, and even struggled with homelessness. But the most devastating aspect was the loss of his entire family. In the span of five years, Chip went to the funerals of 12 family members.

Emotionally drained, Chip spiraled into a decade-long depression. He partied heavily to put off coming to terms with the loss he experienced.

If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health, Birmingham has several resources that can help.

A New Outlook on Life

“One day, I woke up frustrated with my outlook. I had kept telling myself that my life was over, but hold on–there was breath in my lungs. I told myself I COULD die tomorrow, but I have all of today to change the world. From then on, that was my new outlook.

Chip Hudson

After this revelation, Chip was determined to turn his life around. He cut off his long hair, ditched the sweatpants for some better clothes, and started going to the gym.

In 2018, Chip met his future wife. After seeing his old art, she encouraged Chip to draw once more. With the support of his wife, Chip picked up the pencil for the first time in nine years.

The Future is Bright

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Now working as a massage therapist, Chip spends every free moment perfecting his craft. Once he’s off work, Chip connects with art galleries and draws until two or three in the morning. The late nights are paying off.

In the year since he started displaying his art, Chip has shown his work at several Birmingham galleries. Recently, the Morpho Gallery in Chicago selected Chip as one of their Emerging Artists. The exhibit opens on Friday, February 7, from 6-10PM–so if you’re planning a trip to Chicago, now’s the time to visit!

Learn More About Chip Hudson

Contact Chip: Facebook | Instagram | Website

To see Chip’s art in person, check him out on the first Thursday of each month at the Bham Art Crawl outside of The Pizitz. Stay tuned–he is working on a new series to display at Studio 2500 in April.

We can’t wait to see what Chip Hudson does next.

Which of Chip Hudson’s drawings speak to you? Let us know by tagging @bhamnow on social media!