Fashion is my art. But for Chapel Hill artist Seth Pomerantz, art is his fashion — and some of his art is very fashion-forward. Literally! Check out a sneak peek of his shoe art, titled “Chapel Heels – Spring Semester.” Tar Heel fashionistas will fall in love!

When I asked Seth to meet me so we could talk art and fashion, he assured me that his wife would find this hilarious as he believes he has very little fashion sense. Seth explains, “When we first started dating I wore lime green cargo pants and thought they were khaki because of my color blindness.” Apparently it didn’t take her long before she had Seth donate those lime green cargos. Regardless of his sense of clothing style, his art takes on a style of its own. Just take a trip to East 54 in Chapel Hill where Seth’s art is currently featured on the walls of Bottle Rev, a popular wine and craft beer destination. That art has become a hot commodity with 15 sales in two weeks.

There are five pieces in his Chapel Heel art series. In addition to “Spring Semester,” he has created “Afternoon Tea” with a pair of argyle patterned, Alexander Julian-themed heels that you would wear to tea at the Carolina Inn. “Night Out on Franklin” features black pumps and a blue checked bow tie that you might find on your apartment floor after that late night Franklin Street soiree. A Carolina basketball fan favorite called “Game Time” was recently signed by #50 Tyler Hansbrough and entered into a silent auction at Bottle Rev to benefit The Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. “Old Well” is the fifth piece in the series featuring the iconic UNC landmark peeking out on the sole of one of the high heels.

A little bio on Seth before we start the Q&A. Seth moved to Chapel Hill with his family when he was in the second grade, graduated from East Chapel Hill High School, and has lived here ever since. Seth received his undergraduate degree from UNC-Wilmington in Commercial Recreation and Leisure Studies and Masters from NC State in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Seth and his unbelievably supportive wife JoAnna, who is a Chapel Hill native and Chapel Hill High grad, have two great kids.

Since art is a minor in your life, what is your major or day job? 

I am the Assistant Manager of The UNC Faculty Club and have been for 14 years.

Tell us about the evolution of Seth the Artist. I understand you were an Art Minor and your real passion is reclaimed wood.

I started drawing and painting when I was in second or third grade. I remember one summer my parents put me in a one week art camp, and I loved it. I drew a snake and a unicorn and finished them with pastels. The snake still hangs in my parents’ house and the unicorn hangs in my three year old daughter’s room! Later on, I minored in art at UNC-W and continued to paint and draw when time allowed. Once I was married, I began collecting power tools for ‘real life’ projects and realized how useful they were for cultivating another passion, working with wood. I began making my own frames for my paintings and photographs and found great joy in providing a finished product of both art and framework. I also enjoy joining pieces of reclaimed wood from old farms or local businesses to make ‘wood canvases’ to paint on.

What or who influences your art?

I wouldn’t say any particular artist influences my work so much as my surroundings and personal interests. I enjoy being in nature and painting what I see. However, the Chapel Heels series are another story. I was influenced by a friend of mine who showed me a painting of high heels that sold for $5,000 in New York, and he said I could do that. And I believed him! I started talking with my wife, and we came up with some ideas that might work well. The rest just fell into place.

Have you ever been commissioned to create a piece of art? And will you for the right buyer and price?

I have been commissioned a few times but always feel too much pressure with the whole process. I don’t like the idea of someone paying for something in advance, getting excited and being underwhelmed with a final outcome because there was a miscommunication on artistic preferences. Instead, I prefer painting something you might be interested in, deciding if you like the work and then buying the work if it speaks to you.

Now that you are sharing your art with Chapel Hill and the world, what do you envision for the future of your art and your life as an artist?

I would love my Chapel Heel art and Rameses paintings to be found in local shops, restaurants and maybe even at the University itself. I feel like there’s a market for my style of artwork and it would look great in homes or stores. I also have a wild thought that it would look great on people. Who knows, maybe a collaboration with a shoe maker could bring the paintings to life, and we could see Chapel Heels on UNC students in a few years! Crazier things have happened. I am hopeful there is some interest in the first few paintings, because I have lots of other Heels ideas I would love to add to the series. I have five completed but could easily see 10 or 15 out there one day.

Where can folks find your work to view or buy besides Bottle Rev in Chapel Hill?

I have a new website, www.sethpomerantzart.com. I am also beginning the process of approaching other stores in the area, so hopefully my prints will be available soon at a location near you!