Young, local silhouette artist Luke Mixson an emerging new talent
Meet Luke Mixson, an emerging young artist with Hampton County roots who is practicing a historic artform steeped in South Carolina Lowcountry tradition.
Mixson, a 14-year-old student at Cotesworth Christian Academy in Lodge, S.C., is a self-taught, free-hand silhouette artist who discovered his artistic abilities in 2018.
Silhouette portraiture and landscape art is a technique widely used to recreate an image before the invention and common use of photography in the mid 1800’s, and was popular between the years of 1500 and 1860, where professional and amateur artists would either paint or cut profiles using paints or scissors.
Since Mixson first began dabbling with the ancient art in 2018, he has really launched his name and talent to the regional level.
In March of 2022, Mixson won the People’s Choice Award at the Walterboro History Arts and Music Festival (WHAM!) in Walterboro. Since then, in collaboration with the City of Walterboro, leaders at the Colleton Museum and Farmer’s Market reached out to Luke, and asked him to create and design a mural.
Mixson volunteered his time and created an iconic South Carolina Lowcountry scene for his friends in Walterboro and Colleton County. That artwork was used to create a giant mural on the building housing the law offices of S.C. Senator Margie Bright-Matthews at the corner of East Washington Street and North Walter Street in downtown Waterboro. The mural project was led by Matt Mardell, Director of the Colleton Museum and Farmers Market, along with other volunteers assisting in the effort.
What inspired him to practice this type of art form?
"My great-uncle John Martin is an accomplished silhouette artist who has cut silhouettes all over the United States, including in places like Dollywood, Silver Dollar City in Branson, etc.," said Mixson. "I had seen him cut silhouettes a few times and one evening I felt like I may could do it and I grabbed a pair of scissors. While certainly I have improved over the past few years, I must say God gave me the talent and it seems to just come naturally."
"Many people ask me to explain the process and all I know to say is my scissors are the artist brush and I move the paper as I open and close my scissors,' he added. "A few minutes later something comes out of production. I cut all kinds of different silhouette types, but I have to say, Lowcountry scenes like the ones seen in the rural areas of Hampton or Colleton counties are my current favorite to create."
While his art form traces its roots to Europe and abroad, it also has deep roots in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Two of the most-renowned modern silhouette artists, Carew Rice, and his son, Clay Rice, lived in and practiced their art form in the Lowcountry for two generations.
"Coincidentally, my great-grandfather, Jack Pinckney, who lived in Walterboro, was good friends with Mr. Carew Rice, who was from Green Pond, S.C.," said Mixson. "While I never got to meet Mr. Carew, I have admired seeing some pictures of his artwork. As for Mr. Clay Rice, I had the privilege of meeting him at the Colleton Museum and we talked silhouettes for a little while. He was a big encouragement to me and such a nice man."
Mixson is the son of Doug and Jennifer Mixson. While he and his parents live in Lodge, just inside Colleton County, he says that he has deep roots in Hampton County. In addition to many friends in the county, his grandparents and great-grands lived in the county and several of his family members own and operate Mixson's Auto Body in Hampton.
When he is not creating art, Mixson says he enjoys reading and "pretty much anything outdoors," including hunting, fishing, studying survival skills and biking.
To reach Luke for a custom silhouette, contact him at Silhouettes by Luke on Facebook or on his Web site, www.silhouettesbyluke.com. Prices vary by complexity and size.