We had the good fortune of connecting with Oscar Harris FAIA Emeritus and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Oscar, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
I define success for me is doing my Sweet spot–( doing what you really like to do)
Sweet spot is that “SPECIAL THING ” you would do without pay, 10 hours a day –its NOT WORK but feeds your sprit . be the BEST in that spot.
Once you know that then feed all your future seeking , reading , listening ,learning, time,
enery doing IT-Just start doing IT?
Sparkle–While I am doing –I share your found success with others–Smile–
Give compiments out when deserved- You get more back
-be happy about others sucesses
“success-” Reaching a goal—then being thankful for your blessings and being happy
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been a MAKER— Walt Disney signed one of my sketches ( I was 12 years old) .He told be my schetch was the best he had ever seen–Smile Him telling me that was the wings beneath my wings–II desined , built and flew model airplanes model airplanes, soap boxes–draming and making with my hands–all my life–Thats why I say i am a Maker within my heart
So–my ” Sweet Spot “in architecture is the creative process to form the concept and structure for the entire team. As a team we must see the” the big idea “-together-
The team owns its success seeing things and believing in design together – Then develope conceptual sketches -design it and build it –Thats “Architecture”—thats the fun to me It my case Turner Associates with the BEST reputation ” or documentation”–No lawsuits in 45 years—-Turner Associates Architects and Planners”
IN 2009 –Its time to really find a new “Sweet Spot “– I found my art process time is my Sweet Spot–When I am doing that process–I am in another world . A world of adventure and seeking–its always new what i am making—something is always in the drying phase–Thats me” -Also there is no one to consult with . No codes and regulations–You are free to make what you wish—-
My art is “intuitive abstract expressionism “———-I first listen –to jazz sounds –to do that you have to become quite–Listen –Then the natural sprit will come inside you and talk to you. I wait for the sprit to come and let the paint fly–Smile–It”s so much fun–
uPrints at fineartmarketplace.com/oscarharris
How did I end up as this “architectural artist like a turdle “on the post-?—-A lot of people put me here—Lots of
great people s that saw that I was hard working , very trustworthy ,showed up on time, took pride in my work–could really draw and organixze–teams and the concept for the ptoject– I excelled at this type of work -I wante to always own as the Prime architect “the process-“-
The “process “dictates the parameters of the design
I founded Creative Design Management Process-CDM–used exclusively at Turner Associates–provided diverse ideas , approaches and information prior to design –Gains input from diverse sources–to spark my design direction and work–
Founded Companies By Oscar Harris
Turner Associates Architects and Planners
OLH International
Spike Studio
Sugartop
Challenges
There are always challenges. That is life–They make you strong—Run toward a problem and make it right
If your wrong–Admit it and make it right–
LESSONS
Be on time and be prepared
Be techically very strong
Treat people as you wish to be treated
Be trustworthy
Be happy and sparkle
Be thankful and apprecitive
Always be cheerful
Have check off list and timetables
Dress the part
Relationships–Develope quality high valued friends
work hard
don”t waste time
Have hussle in your step
always be grathful and thankful for your blessings
choose the right partner in life–
Be truthful
Past all your tests
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Mt favorite spots to hit ( ****Design or impacted by Oscar’s touch
“The Atrium ” at Hartsfield Jackson Airport–Airport Town Center******
Centinual Oympic Park–=Iconic Olympic towers *****
The Human Rights exhibit–*****
Football Hall of fame— ****
MLK Visitiors Center–*****
Walk the Beltline–
Inman Park Commuity-walk -visit the Krog st market
Places to Eat—
Brake Pad –east point–in a old gas station–
High Cotton Brunch–The Chastain –great food and servise–Bruch or Dinner
Dinner along the river– “Canoe “and “Rays on the River”–eat along the Chohuchee
“Othellas-“–“Cascade Heights” Atlantas oldest Aro American Commuity insde a Old Grow Forest
“FIrst Watch -rest”–Breakfast place
“Milk and Honey Rest Cascade rd”–catfish and grits—
The Fishmonger–fish–Smile
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Just wanted to Shout Out to say–Thank You–to the following- they are the “The wind beneath my wings”—
Family–Sylvia , chilldren and Family — They have supported me by their constant family love and support of me striving to be a sucessfull architect and artist–Thanks our Family Values that have been instilled in me goes back to my parents , anschetors—They were busineiss people. They owned, land, saw mill business , share croppers and farmering in Virgina early 1800″s—-.They worked hard and had responsibilities with timetables to reach their goals
Thanking my mother , father and brother for raising me well-( love Ya)–with lots of LOVE & EXPOSURE to always be the best you can–
I thank my wife Sylvia for being the most important factor for my success and what I have achieved- She is the most important part of my story-She and her family has given me lots of more family love after my parents passed– She gives support to me and the family-and others in the commuity-thats her Sweet Spot— I am blessed to have chosshen -a great wife—Without her I would have never been as successful —–
God– has always providing great BEST advice. My “inner words and visions “speak to me in my Artist Studio located in a Old Growth Forest–Its the best place to go to think
Friends–Thank you for tour friendship and love over the years–
Atlanta Business Commuinty –City of Atlanta ( Maynard Jackson) , Fulton County– Both for the cofidence in me to be the Prime Architect on many of my projects
National AIA—Partnering and developing so many new friends in the Profession
Mayhard Jackson for” opening the doors “of opportunity for me to exhibit my talents
Architectual and Engineering Community–Thank you for the support over 50 years-special shout out to TVS-and Rosser
Will Paceco–PBQD–He put me “IN Charge” of the program management–of M ARTA architecture ,art and construction program for the entire Marta East_West Line and then worked with Vincent Kling FAIA
Jazz and Spriituality Group ——–Thank you for teaching sprits and Vibes – I will always be a
“STUDENT SEEKER with big ears
Beta Chapter ( Omega Psi Phi) – (2 nd Chapter )-Lincoln University—-making me into a strong man –that wanted to make a difference
Howard University School of Architecture–Louis Fry SR and Jr FAIA -showed me how to put together a building
Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture–
Constant question ;Are you going in the right direction? Have you made the right chooses along the way? what is it ? think and concepulization process? Is your heart in your work?——Focus on the concepulization of the Big Idea ? what is it?
AIA-Atlants and Ga—-Great professional relationships –Thank you
NOMA–Early membership times and on going wonderful relationships -working to make a differenc
Kappa Boule–getting though brotherhood to learn the best of each other
Spikestudio,org—–20 years of mentoring underserved communities 0ver 750 studenyts touched
OLH International—Thanks for doing such a great job—after the transition -to Phil and na
Thank you all——
Stay Blessed and Happy–Oscar “Spike” Harris FAIA Emeritus
All words are Copyrighted–All rights reserved to Oscar Harris FAIA
Website: “oscarharrisfaia.com” Selected Prime Architect Projects — “Art by Oscar Harris”— Oscars prints of artworks——–“finearts—————————
Instagram: oscar_harris
Youtube: “Oscar Harris FAIA- Architect -Artist”…..——- “Oscar Harris Thinking of You” —– ” Renaissance Designers–Architects as Artist——-For prints of Oscars Art go to “fineartmarketplace.com/oscarharris”
Image Credits
Photo of Atlanta Atrium at the Airport——–Rob Sullivan Fulton County Goverment Center————Gary Knight Dekalb County Juveniile Courts———— Davd Fisher Spike Studio Programs-( 20 Yrs)———Oscar Harris FAIA Artworks——————————Oscar Harris FAIA–prints available- go to “fineartwarketplace.com/oscarharris” Chirldren at my Art Show———-Oscar Harris FAIA Centinual Olympic ParK——-David Fisher