Page 33 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2017

creative outlet. In the past, he made wooden toys, and he has published a couple of books
— one about the early days of Latimer and the other about his ancestors.
The couple went sightseeing at attractions along the Coast, and Hank was particularly inspired by the oddball geniuses of artist Walter Anderson and potter George Ohr. The Cummingses named their business The Cuckoo’s Nest. “We thought steampunk art would be neat to do. Everything we use is recycled with old parts in it,” Hank said.
They purchased brass parts from a flea market. One of his earlier creations was a lead balloon inspired by writer Jules Verne. Hank used a flower pot, a candle holder, a woven basket for the
balloon and created scenery below. He then converted a brass chandelier into a space rocket. Hank and Donna discovered wood canes with natural twists. They purchased the bunch, and Hank has sanded the canes, adding copper and rivet handles for a unique look.
As part of their research
into Parkinson’s disease, the couple found the Michael J.
Fox Foundation website that is dedicated to finding a cure. The actor has suffered from the disease for years.
“I was told I wasn’t going to get any better, and I want to help.
I don’t really need the money,
so we decided to use my art to raise money for the foundation,” Cummings said.
The couple approached Sharlie Gooch, owner of Market Reneaux at 1801 Government Street in Ocean Springs, who agreed to sell his art as well as hold a raffle each month to give away his work. The first piece given away was the balloon. The following month, they raffled a cane.
“This is the first time we’ve sold tickets to raise money for a foundation. It’s turned out very well,” Gooch said.
Hank is grateful to share his artwork. “When you get this,
you thank God every day you are alive. I take nothing for granted anymore,” he said.
www.michaeljfox.org
Hank Cummings art and fundraising raffle tickets are available at
Market Reneaux
1801 Government St., Suite B Ocean Springs
STEAMPUNK BALLOON inspired by Jules Verne. The first piece Hank Cummings raffled to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research.
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December 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 33
TOP: CUMMINGS converted a brass chandelier into a space rocket. BOTTOM: HANK CUMMINGS works in his man cave.