NBA star explores life through art and stories

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Retired NBA All Star Joe Barry Carroll knows events like his Feb. 23 artist talk at Mimosa Hall are set up as lectures, but he hopes his art spurs conversations that run both ways.

The athlete-turned-artist sat down with a small crowd as part of an exhibit of his art in the historic home. The exhibit, “My View from Seven Feet,” will be on display until March 28 for appointment viewings and public events.

At the talk, Carroll reflected on his childhood and 10-year career in the NBA through a series of paintings displayed around Mimosa Hall. He began painting eight years ago as an attempt to have a “deeper understanding of what artists do.”

Carroll said he has always been interested in art. When he traveled as a professional athlete, Carroll scheduled time to go to galleries and museums. As he started painting, though, Carroll was drawn to what he created.

Now, the self-taught artists has more than 100 paintings and four published books. When not painting, Carroll is a wealth adviser to professional athletes, author, publisher and philanthropist.

The art itself is vibrant, often composed of red and orange hues. The paintings depict Carroll, his family and community, as well as more abstract concepts. Each piece is paired with a story written by Carroll.

Carroll approaches his art through “words and images.” As a storyteller, he said the stories sometimes relate to his thoughts while he painted a piece and sometimes are simply what he wants to say.

“It’s never intended to instruct someone on what a painting is, its just there as a conversational piece,” Carroll said.

Conversation is key to Carroll’s art. He said he wants the art to encourage a “mutual exchange” between him and the people who view it.

“I spend a lot of time thinking about our shared humanity,” Carroll said. “I don’t think we’re just talking about Joe here; we’re talking about experiences I had that can relate to your life as well.”

Carroll knows his name is on the situations, but he said everyone deals with what he discusses.