Artist's Corner: Giles Lamar Exchanges a Baseball Bat for Paintbrush

Oxford native Giles Lamar is following in his mother Nicole’s footsteps by taking a place in front of the easel.
Lamar graduated from Oxford High School—where his interests were in athletics—and now he’s pursuing a degree in journalism at Ole Miss. He has recently changed his niche from the dugout to the studio by expressing his emotions through artwork.
“Now that I am no longer in that chapter of my life, I wanted to find something to keep me busy,” he said. “Thankfully, I did.”
As a high schooler, he and student peer Sam Morgan ran Double Knot Apparel company, which allowed Lamar to dabble in his artistic abilities. He said he believes the company made a huge impact on his decision to start painting.
“It motivated me to want to be an entrepreneur,” he said. “I am thankful that I found painting to help me with this goal.”
It wasn’t until this past December Lamar fully dove into the world of painting. After exhausting himself studying for finals, he decided to ease his mind by drawing Chance the Rapper, and he said it turned out better than he expected.
He continued to draw the rapper multiple times before he finally decided to hit the books again. It wasn’t until later on that Lamar realized if he could draw Chance the Rapper, surely he could paint him.
“I finally got around to painting him and I was blindsided by the results,” he said.

After completing the painting, Lamar decided to take a picture of his artwork and display it on social media. He said notifications flooded in asking the price of the piece. The feedback further motivated him to create an Instagram account to promote his artwork.
Lamar considers himself to be an expressionist, he said. He uses vivid colors to express his passion for music and art, while also painting a message.
“I like to use colors and textures to imply expression to whoever is viewing my art,” he said.
When he initially started painting, Lamar wanted to express his love and interests for music and pop culture. It is a connection that he said he shares with many other Oxonians and Ole Miss students.
“I figured it would be a perfect route to go,” he said.
Lamar gives credit to his mother, Nicole Lamar, an established artist in Oxford, for his artistic talent and education. Lamar said he and his mother often work together on art projects. 
“I am very thankful because I truly am learning from the best,” he said.
For more examples of Giles Lamar’s artwork, follow him on Instagram at @Gileslamart.

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By Talbert Toole, lifestyles editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com.