Via Colori is finished for 2011!

It's over for the year! Whew! Via Colori is an awesome experience, and very draining at the same time. I can only imagine how Sue Henderson feels right now. I personally feel a little sad yet relieved.

The above pictures are just a few that I got of some artists working. The above artists are Jams Bauguess (me), Nick Candela, Jeremy Gann, Mirinda Reynolds, Jeff Gulick and I am not sure who did the American Gothic rendition but loved that one, as well as the Ice Cream cones.

It was a good weekend. Not nearly as hot as last year. It seemed a lot more organized and everyone seemed more prepared. There were a few sprinkles here or there but nothing that ended the weekend.

Usually, I am working in my own private space busting out the art so it's a different experience to have people come right up and watch, giving feedback. I had one person who said, "I don't get it" and another 5 year old boy said, "I no like dat! It's for girls!"..but otherwise, I happily got a lot of "thanks!" and "I love the colors, eyes, awesome!" I even had a few people recognize my style and straight-up ask if I was the artist named Jams Bauguess. That was a HUGE compliment to me.

I don't know if everyone heard, but there was this very nice lady who came up while I was working with hand-outs. It seems they are trying to get every artist in the Fredericksburg area on this online directory. Their goal is to have every artist, in every style and genre to be in this thing. She wanted me to pass the word along. I will post the web address later as I don't seem to have it on me at the moment.

I am definitely looking forward to next year!

I had a lot of people asking about being a Via Colori artist. So for those who know, you can skip ahead: Basically, like the Via Colori Fredericksburg FB page and you will receive updates. When they start opening up the volunteer page for next year, all you have to do it submit your information and BAM! you are now the owner of a small piece of property in Fredericksburg for a few hours to paint what you want (within reason). There is no cost to you except your time. They supply everything and you do not have to be a professional artist. A family can sign up for a square for the fun of it.

Another cool thing that came out of this? I spoke with one of the artists for awhile and we are considering getting together a lowbrow art show for Fredericksburg. Kinda like a mini-Urban Decay show just to get this amazing art style out there. And for me, it's always awesome to meet these type of artists! Art, booze, music and more.

Stay tuned for some new paintings I am putting out. I am actually painting a man or two these days, along with fish skeletons, plastic moustaches and cross-dressers!

Second annual Via Colori Fredericksburg!

It's almost here! The hour is upon us!

This year's signature artist is Mirinda Reynolds. Here is the piece she will be doing. You think it's amazing and colorful now? Wait until you see this spread out before you on asphalt with chalk! It's titled "Reverie" and is currently at the Ponshop for the City Colors exhibit.

Via Colori is a volunteer driven arts festival. All funds raised will be put back into the community. Each square is sponsored by a business or organization and the proceeds, after expenses will be used towards art-based educational programs.

So what can you expect?

Via Colori means "Street of Color" and originated in Italy, centuries ago. Artists would lay out their chalk boxes and create art, most always religious while collecting money in their boxes. (We don't accept money in our boxes because it's free for the public!)

Saturday-Sunday, September 24th-25th. Sophia Street and a few other side streets in downtown Fredericksburg will be shut down for artists to create their masterpieces directly on the street. You can walk around and watch how the art progresses. To add even more "spice" to this festival; there will be live music, food carts and much, much more. There's even a spot set up for children to try their hand at street painting!

I am not clear on how many artists will be there but I believe in the range of like 50-75? Basically, a lot of art that can be seen during one nice stroll.

Another cool thing is that not every city has the opportunity to indulge in this centuries old arts festival! We are the only city in the surrounding area (even state of Virginia) that does this annual festival. I have heard tale that people from all over come to see this awesome art form.

So, bring the kids and come on down this Saturday or Sunday between 10am-10pm! Support your local artists, support Fredericksburg and have some good, clean fun. (For the children, one rule for the artists was to choose a piece that is "family friendly").

Stay tuned for photos and reports from how it went. I am excited and honored to be one of the participating artists again this year and hope to see everyone there.

Book review ~ Juxtapoz Erotica

Yes, I got it in! Unfortunately, I had to hide the cover and its contents for about 7 hours since it came to my office (I thought I had changed my amazon.com shipping address, guess I didn't). Juxtapoz Erotica is yet another title in their series of books.

The title says it all. I knew it would be erotic art, but Lawdy!!

I really liked the part where they made a very powerful argument on the distinction between pornography and erotica. Warning: Flashback circa 1996 coming your way....

As a freshmen at VCU arts program, I had this asshole professor. I really loathed this dude. He was pretentious, stuck-up, thought his shit didn't stink; just an overall douchebag with a capital 'D'. One of his favorite forms of entertainment was to embarass all his newbie art students and make them feel like AFO (Arts Foundation) students were too wet behind the ears to yet be considered artists.

One day, he put on a slide show. Some of the pieces were well-known works by reputable artists like Salvador Dali, Van Gogh, Schiele, Frida Kahlo, etc, etc; but, every once in awhile he'd throw in a noticeable picture straight from a porno movie. Dead on crotch shots, hairy gum drops wrapped in 550 cord, very detailed penetration scenes. At the end of this slideshow he paused and asked, "So are these sexual scenes art or pornography?" Now I just felt, as I looked around the room at my fellow classmates, that this dude was a pervert on a power trip who wanted to terrify these 17-18 year old girls who were out on their own for the first time. Some of these chics had never seen a pair of testicles before in their life, let alone a pair so violently restricted!

Everyone knew by now that this question was a set up and didn't want to answer outloud. He continued, "Anyone?!" getting noticeably agitated that no one was falling into his trap. Me being the outspoken type, I answered, "I thought it was pornography. Art, even sexual art can arouse and even sometimes shock, but there is a creativity to it, a skill, an appreciation for human sexuality, a message. These pictures are snippets from pornos and are not art...they have one function, foreplay."

He waved me off, rolling his eyes very dramatically and stated, "What do you know? You're not an artist until I tell you are!"

I couldn't believe this shit. I couldn't believe that someone would ask a question and then wave off a response. I couldn't believe he was telling me that he was the god of art and I wasn't in his "book" yet.

But I digress. This book is art. Now don't get me wrong. I wouldn't say this is your typical coffee table book. I wouldn't let the little kiddies peruse the pages. There are pieces where one artist paints herself in very erotic, sexual and completely nude scenes with past presidents (in chronological order of their presidency). One was Abraham Lincoln as never seen before! There are shiny, swollen asses in latex. There are little forest creatures splooging on faces. It is definitely debauchery. But a good, down home, make you laugh out loud, shock you through and through kind of debauchery.

Once you get past the subject matter, take a look at the techniques and ideas of these artists. Very unique. Each artists' section has a small interview about why they do what they do (I believe only one admitted to being a disgusting pervert too!). The rest just had a fascination with human sexuality or other completely normal, innocent questions they were answering through their art.

Can't wait to collect yet another book from this series!

Got an interesting opportunity for artists tomorrow night (Wednesday, Sept. 14th) at Libertytown Arts Center.

Bill Harris has gotten two artists (male and female) to model using the entire Arts Center. Bring your camera and it's ten bucks at the door. The models will be taking direction, using any props you have in mind and etc so that pictures can be taken for future painting reference.

I think it'll be pretty cool. If even just an opportunity to get inspired and chill out with like minds.

So from 8pm- whenever, I'm heading over to Libertytown with my props, camera and hopefully....creativity to come up with some cool ideas to paint. Right now, I am leaning towards something involving those plastic glasses/moustache combos.

The money collected will go to pay for the models' time.

"Lulu's Soda" by Jams

So I have been taking this class "An Easier Way to Paint" by Bill Harris.

He has opened my eyes and mind to what I believed before as me selling out.

What's important in painting? The end result or how you got there?

I still plan on doing my normal style. It's fun and unrestrictive. I can let lose and get some feelings out. There is always some "stress" I am dealing with when I paint my distorted human figures with the swirlies in their hair, the big eyes and weird situations. And yes, once in awhile I will probably still sell a few.

But I can't lie. I love that I have this more realistic portrait of my daughter for the living room. It was definitely fun to challenge myself with this one and I find myself wanting another challenge.

Not to mention, these types of paintings are more of the "money makers"...where I'm from anyways. Looks like I will be doing some commissions here shortly and just in time for Christmas. Smaller versions, that is.

About this painting: My daughter, husband and myself were sitting at one of the outside tables of Kybecca in downtown Fredericksburg. She ordered a cream soda and was really enjoying it. I mean, ENJOYING it. Luckily, I had a camera on me because the way her brow was furrowed and her lips were wrapped around the mouth of the bottle...I could see the intensity in which Lulu does everything. Even drinking this soda. This was one of my most favorite pictures of her. It really sucked in her personality for me.

Anyone who is familiar with my work and my taste in art, knows I don't like fruit bowls and seascapes. I feel cold when I look at these images I have seen over and over again in just different takes. I like to feel something, I like to wonder what the artist was trying to say and imagine the story behind the painting. Fruit bowls don't ever do that for me.

I learned a valuable lesson from taking this class with Bill Harris. Realism doesn't have to be about fruit bowls and seascapes. You can take the tips from the old masters, incorporate those in your own style and still get an emotional piece, one that tells a story.

(For those who'd like to come and take a few classes with Bill Harris: $125 for 5 classes, he has two different days a week that he offers times...I take mine on Sunday 2-4pm. The price includes supplies. He is an amazing, very strong artist who will give you pointers without imposing on your own style, offer advice without being pushy and encourage ideas. Very cool.)

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Libertytown 6x6x6 ~ Call For Artists

Libertytown Arts Center located in downtown Fredericksburg is having it's 6x6x6 show starting on October 7th and going until October 30th. Deadline for entries is October 3rd.

Basically, all pieces of art must not exceed 6 inches in any direction...and that includes the frame, folks! They are accepting 2-d and 3-d works.

This will be the first time I am submitting something (2 pieces, actually) and I am super excited to see the show.

Reminder: PONSHOP is having the opening of its invitational exhibit, City Colori on September 2 from 6pm to 10pm. Sounds like a lot of cool talents are going to be there so everyone should definitely go check it out. They are also allowing the public to come down and vote for their favorite piece so you should come around to 712 Caroline St. in downtown and have your say.

Looks like there were 18 artists that submitted 20 different pieces so there'll be a large range to take a looksy. All artists are volunteers in the second annual Via Colori street painting festival for September 24th and 25th.

I have my "Sleeps With The Fishes" piece in. There are a ton of other amazing artists so I am quite sure it'll be interesting!