Glenn Payne
Glenn Payne was a resident artist with us April 21– May 4, 2025
Bio
Glenn Payne is an award winning filmmaker, artist, and improvisational actor. He lives in north Mississippi where he creates artwork and produces independent films with the abundance of local talent Mississippi has to offer. Through his production company, Dead Leaf Productions, Payne has produced and directed over thirty films and fifty commercials and music videos.
Payne studied painting under Brent Funderburk and Jeffrey Haupt at Mississippi State University and crafted his improvisational acting skills with his troupe West of Shake Rag, based in Tupelo, MS, as well as receiving training at Second City and Improv Olympic (iO) in Chicago, IL. Payne has spent time exploring these art forms in both Los Angeles and Chicago but prefers the inspiration of his home state, Mississippi.
He continues to exhibit his artwork through galleries, art events, and private collections around the world. Payne has also been awarded several grants from various arts and film organizations throughout the years. The multiple art forms go hand in hand when one considers the concepts of composition, dramatic lighting, color, and storytelling.
Payne considers film the most influential art form our world has ever seen. It combines painting, music, dancing, performing, and writing to create the most powerful form of artistic expression known to man. Its ability to reach the masses gives the artist a means to influence millions of viewers.
Among his many projects, “Driven”, "Killer Concept", “Stagrassle Paranormal”, and "Earthrise" can be seen on Amazon Prime, Tubi and various other digital platforms. You can follow his artistic journey on social media @glennematic. Although Payne continuously tries to find a balance between fine Art, performance, and film his overall goal is simply to continue to create and to help others do the same.
LINKS: SITE, SOCIALS, PICS
Older Noir Paintings: https://glennpayne.com/noir-paintings-1
Newer Toy Paintings: https://glennpayne.com/new-paintings
Movies: https://glennpayne.com/films
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glenn.payne.14
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glennematic/
Twitter: https://x.com/Glennematic
MEDIA LINKS
Porch Talk (Podcast): https://open.spotify.com/episode/35l0ouMDqAYm80vW0xkZVz
Commercial Dispatch article: https://cdispatch.com/lifestyles/with-a-camera-or-a-paint-brush-payne-captures-images-that-speak-to-you/
Thoughts about the Residency by Glenn Payne
Reflections from MARS
My visit to the MacGown Art Retreat and Studio began with little more than a car packed with supplies and a desire to create. My life is generally very structured. I know what I’m planning to accomplish and I do my best to achieve this in the most efficient manner possible. This leads to me being very productive, but it leaves little room for artistic growth. I find myself falling into the same creative habits I’m used to. I use oil paint. I make movies. one plus one always equals two. When I applied for the Artist Residency at MARS I wanted to push myself, to break outside of an arbitrary box I’d created for my life.
The first thing I wanted to do was arrive with no solid plans. They’d only act as restraints. I packed up every Art supply I owned and I’d let discovery take over. When I arrived, I found myself roaming the beautiful property. The mixture of nature and artistic architecture and design formed a cozy safe haven for me to try new things. This atmosphere helped me feel safe to take risks in my work. Failure doesn’t have to be a negative, if it comes from sincere exploration. I spent my days experimenting. Traditionally a representational painter, I allowed nature to provide me with immediate inspiration. Each canvas was a chance at something completely different.
I tried mixing mediums in ways I never have before. Acrylic, graphite, oil, ink, etc. Searching through these new combinations was incredibly freeing. My host, Joe MacGown, even took the time to share some of his techniques and supplies with me. I can honestly say that for the first time in years I was enjoying the process of painting more than just the final image. It’s something I’ve been longing for years. It’s just the beginning of this new phase of experimentation for me, but it’s a vital first step that wouldn’t have happened without this Residency. The calming location, cozy cabin, and amazing hospitality Joe MacGown, and his wife Jennifer, provided made me feel creative in new and interesting ways. I was also able to attempt a new process of filmmaking. I wrote, acting in, shot and edited an entire short film completely on my own while on-site. This was a wonderful exercise for me, that also wouldn’t have happened outside of this opportunity.
The retreat allowed me to speak to Art and film classes, meet and greet with the public, and have my own one-night show. This created a wonderful sense of community that felt positive for everyone involved. I’m incredibly thankful to Joe MacGown, the MacGown Art Retreat and Studio, the Del Rendon Foundation, the Mississippi Arts Commission, and to any other contributing individuals for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful and supportive program. It has meant the world to me and my fellow artists that participated before me. I hope that this retreat will continue to thrive and offer future artists the same amazing opportunity of self reflection and artistic growth.
Sincerely, Glenn Payne