Susan Padgett-Harrison, Candidate

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Anthony’s art often features a mix of media. This piece features both spray paint and marker.

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Anthony and his wife, Monica, are pictured here with their three adorable sons in a Christmas card photo.

SUSAN

PADGETT-HARRISON

Cherokee County Board of Education — POST 6

experience mattersBECAUSE 34-years of Experience in Public Education School – District – University Award-winning Educator & Community Volunteer Conservative Republican VoteSusanPH.com

Cherokee County Board of Education — POST 6 Goshen Valley has been a wonderful fit for Anthony. uuu

His ability to relate to the pain the boys feel is vital and brings a level of trust that is not easily gained. The healing goes both ways for mentor and mentee when something broken is made whole.

During the COVID-19 quarantine, Anthony worked from home, giving him extra downtime. While browsing online, he saw a type of art that he admired. The muse had come calling.

Anthony began playing with painting and using his iPad to create art. He started experimenting with different styles, canvases, and media. Anthony says, “I’ll try anything, and I’m not afraid to fail. I have been through too much to worry about if I mess up a painting.”

Anthony’s art reflects his personality—colorful and full of energy. Ms. Suggs, Anthony’s surrogate mom, describes it best: “ Anthony’s work is beautiful; it’s magic.”

Beside this successful man is Anthony’s wife, Monica, a nursemidwife, a woman from Uganda. They met at The Factory Church, where they now attend as a family. Monica and Anthony have three adorable boys. Monica admits to being surprised by her husband’s artistic journey, which is moving swiftly. Anthony’s second painting was featured on the CW network show Legacies, his work hangs in an Atlanta penthouse Airbnb, and he has had pieces up at West Elm furniture store.

Monica says it has been amazing to watch the process of Anthony becoming a painter. “It’s just pouring out of him. I think it is filling a need in him he didn’t know was there. Anthony’s art is also opening many doors for us to meet people we would never have met.”

Anthony Hall is a creative person. He has tackled football, acting, stand-up comedy, photography, and now he paints anything that will sit still for him—shoes, sofas, hats, or giant canvases. Does Anthony have any idea where his new passion is going? His answer is, “I have no idea, and I don’t care to

know. The Lord is the giver of gifts; it’s my job to try to listen for His will.”

When asked how he feels when painting, Anthony replies, “Free.” For a person born in the grips of poverty and crime, feeling free is quite an accomplishment. He gives the credit and glory to God and all the people who offered him a chance through the years. It’s going to be exciting to see where Anthony’s talents take him next. With his motto, “Let every brush that has paint praise the Lord,” his future looks bright. Anthony’s art is featured at Whole Soul Shop at The Mill on Etowah in Canton. He also has a booth each week at the Marietta Artisan Market.