Meet Huelani Mei Fogleman: Artist & Metal Fabricator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Huelani Mei Fogleman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Huelani Mei, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I have always known I wanted to be a full time artist but being a part time bartender and part time artist I never put my full attention into building my own art career because I had the security blanket of a steady income. In the beginning of this year my art business was booming and I was about to quit my part time job to finally work for myself! I couldn’t believe my dreams were turning into a reality! Then covid hit and I lost about 20 jobs in one single day and I knew leaving a steady income at the restaurant was no longer a possibility. I didn’t let that get me down and I continued to stay positive about my future. Then quarantine happened and I couldn’t work at the restaurant like I normally did and for the first time in a long time I had the opportunity to take on the endeavor of building my vision and the art I wanted to create, I rent space in a metal shop in Roswell and would spend my days trying to master my skill and discover what I really wanted to do, Also not having much work and only doing to-go’s once a week at the restaurant I had no balance in my life and was hiking and kayaking on the river as much as I could, I felt like I was a kid again and got to enjoy summer! I knew that with all my unexpected free time I should be focusing on my art and my business because it was the time I always needed but never had. So I promised to hold myself accountable. I set a work schedule to be at my shop at least 4 days a week and I started getting projects and jobs again that now keep me at the shop 6-7 days a week. I always thought being your own boss meant you could work at your own leisure but the truth is you work around the clock because the only person that will make it happen is yourself; I had to hold my self accountable and if I don’t work hard I wont get where I want to be. I went from creating on my own art at my leisure to now working every day. I love it and I feel more passionate about my dreams and goals than ever before. I know I have to find a balance between my endeavors and personal life and not feel guilty about taking time off but when I think about work life balance I know I am just starting and will eventually be able to achieve an equilibrium. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a metal artist that focuses on sculptural work. What I love most about being a welder and metal artist is being able to create one of a kind art pieces and also creating functional items such as custom furniture, lighting pieces, railings and so much more; the opportunities are endless for me when it comes to metal work. I feel like I am finally discovering what I love to create and I am learning my style that I have searched for for a very long time. Currently what I am most excited about are my metal suncatchers, that to me are mini sculptures. I love how each one already has such an aesthetic appeal then when the sun hits them their crystals reflect beautiful rainbows. I have also been hosting my own art markets and music events. I decided to start hosting these gatherings about 3 years ago and each one gets better and better! I love organizing these events and bringing communities together. My long time goal with hosting these events is to have a weekend long music and art festival. The path to getting to where I am today was defiantly not easy but has been worth every step! I went to Georgia State University and graduated with a B.F.A in Sculpture. It was definitely a struggle having to support myself through college while chasing the dream of being a full time sculptor! While in school I worked with many different artist trying to learn as much as I could. I think my biggest accomplishment while in college was being a featured artist at The High Museum of Art. After graduating I continued to bartend while trying to work on any art opportunity I could find. I worked with multiple sculptors helping them build their master pieces while dreaming of the day to be the one on the other side of being an apprentice. I would work odd art jobs during the day while bartending at night. Fast forward a few years later and I got my first full time professional art job as a scenic artist working on museum displays and hotel artwork. That lead me to being the lead scenic artist on rebuilding The Atlanta Cyclorama, which was a huge undertaking. Once that project was over I knew that building museums was not what I wanted my future to look like. So I quit my job and back to bartending I went! I then went on to build my first public sculpture and got a taste of what I wanted my reality to look like and have been living it ever since! I consider myself very lucky to be able to be following my passion and to say I have a sculpture degree and I’m actually using it! Even though I consider myself very fortunate for the opportunities that have gotten me to where I am today I don’t think any of that would have happened without hard work, passion and determination. I have learned very valuable lessons along the way, and a major one I am still sometimes struggling with is not to under evaluate my time and skill. I have a vision and passion that I want to share with the world. I want my art to convey an emotion of happiness and positivity that inspires my peers and others to have the dedication to do what makes them happy. I have spent my entire life pursuing the title of a full time artist and even though I am finally seeing it turn into a reality I feel like it is still just beginning.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well as you may guess with running my own art markets and music events I love to host and show my friends a good time! Atlanta has so much fun and exciting things to offer. I am close to the Chattahoochee river so I would start the week off with a fun adventure of kayaking and hiking. Then afterwards head to downtown Roswell to walk around Canton Street to indulge in all the fun restaurants and bars it has to offer. The next day we would go explore Piedmont park and from their walk the belt line and end our walk at Krog Street tunnel to check out all the funky and lively artwork. After a full day of exploring the city we would have dinner at one of my all time favorite restaurants, The Porter Beer Bar. I can never go there and not order their mac and cheese! I would also hope to catch a show at Variety Playhouse or one of the many music venues located in the city. Leon’s Full Service would have to be another restaurant on the list to go eat at. I would also have to dedicate one night to having my boyfriend cook us a delicious meal, he is an amazing cook and we love to wine and dine at home. Last but not least would be to go visit my, “Tree of Life” sculpture located at the new Fur Kids Atlanta head quarters in Cumming. I love Atlanta and all the art, liveliness and festivals this city has so it’s always tough for me to pick and choose what I want to do!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be on the path I’m on today if it wasn’t for the support of my parents and my mom helping me get through art school. My boyfriend Chris who has supported me every step of the way with encouragement, love and critiques. My sister Allie who helped me get my first solo sculpture job with Petco and Fur kids Atlanta. My shop owner Carl Moore, he has welcomed me with open arms and has given me so many opportunities and has been an amazing mentor. He has helped me in so many ways and takes the time to teach and guide me with my own business even when he has a full plate himself,

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