Art that tells a story--that is the embodiment of Chasidy Hathorn's works. Whether it be abstract paintings that capture memories of days gone by, mixed-media works made from vintage magazines and books, or metal sculptures fabricated from junky treasures, Chasidy aims for each piece to have a unique voice--a voice that evokes conversations about political and social issues, the good old days, and hopes for the future.
"Art tells a story, it truly does! That is one thing I love to do with my pieces--tell a story using paint, paper, or whatever else I can get my hands on," explains Hathorn. Adding a bit of her spunky, Southern-Belle personality to her pieces, Chasidy signs each work under the artist name "SassyHat" to emphasize her spunky, Southern-belle personality and her inner-child artist who isn't afraid of bold colors, rich textures, and coloring outside the lines.
Chasidy’s journey from a German and Latin teacher to a full-time professional artist has been a long and winding Mississippi back road, and it’s a story that can only be told while sitting a spell with a good cup of coffee--which is what led her to begin her blog Sweet Sorghum Living. "I didn't know I'd one day be an artist. When I was growing up in the middle-of-nowhere Mississippi, I dreamed of being all sorts of things--a preacher, a race car driver, a doctor, an astronaut, and even an architect. I still dream of being a race car driver. My fully engaged imagination and bold creativity (along with my love of talking) kept me in trouble, especially in school. But, somewhere inside me, I always knew God had a plan for all of my tall tales, curiosity, and imagination." Stepping forward in faith, Chasidy made the decision in 2014 to make her art into her career. She doesn't regret taking the long way around to get to where she is today because she would have missed all of things that make her paintings and creations tell incredible stories.
Chasidy was born and raised in Ellison Ridge, a small community miles away from Louisville, Mississippi. She now lives in Johnson City, Tennessee with her husband and three four-legged children.
She can be found sitting a spell at local coffee shops, riding her bike on local trails, or hiking with her husband. Chasidy enjoys gardening and rescuing plants from grocery stores. Follow her on Instagram to keep up with her latest adventures and newest projects.