and what falls out

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Just Me

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A small Coastal town called Saint Marys, Georgia, United States
Hi, my name is Ronnie. I am an American Contemporary Folk Artist. I conjure up images, then paint them on canvas. This makes me happy. Nice to meet you.

Inspiration from Brilliant Minds

Inspiration from Brilliant Minds
Painting is an attempt to come to terms with life. There are as many solutions as there are human beings. - George Tooker

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Dance Around! It's James Brown!!!?

The Arts Clayton Gallery is holding a big fund raising dinner this month at the National Archives. They needed, "visual art as it relates to music".
This 30 inch round beveled canvas that I found on my trip to Atlanta several weeks back was screaming, "Me! Me! Use me!
So, I did.
I started out by excruciatingly pencil drawing three concentric circles and then got out the black paint. I usually plan my paintings on paper first, but this time, I didn't have a clue where I was going except that James Brown was screaming at me too! "Please, please, please, please!"
I loved James Brown as a kid. I went to what was probably one of his first concerts, held in a grubby old city auditorium in Atlanta in 1966. A friend's brother had to drive us, because we were too young to drive ourselves.
The place was packed and when James came out on the stage followed by The Amazing Flames, everyone jumped onto the wood folding seats, teetering there in their loafers for the entire show.
The Flames wore shiny, lime green suits with pegged pants and short suit coats. Carefully coordinated James wore the tightest, hot-pink, shiny, silk suit that I had ever laid my young eyes on. On his feet where those famous, magical, black, pointed toe, ankle high boots...boots that aided him in sliding in any direction upon the stage floor, never having to lift his feet even an inch. It was as if he had ball bearings on his feet. I was star struck. Owwwww!

Which leads me to this...James Brown memorialized or demoralized on my big round canvas.
The act of painting that blue neon stripe and trying to keep it straight (round) was a religious experience.
I was pleased with how James' likeness turned out and my son and his friend agreed, "THAT'S James Brown!" This was comforting.
Next, I hand drew the letters and "energy lines" on paper...transferred them to the canvas...then painted them and...
Here he is. It looks much BIGGER in person! Click the pic to see the bling in his eye.
When I delivered it to the gallery on Saturday the ladies all screamed with excitement when they saw him! Just like when James was alive and dancing.
To Feel Good click below to see James dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgDrJ5Z2rKw
Have a super week, folks. : )
Ronnie

29 comments:

JUNKER JANE said...

I love this Ronnie :D
James Brown was the man!

Unknown said...

wow ronnie wow- so good !

aliceinparis said...

Whee, I feel good! Great stuff! Lucky you to see that man live!

Buskitten said...

Oh wow, get another great painting, Ronette! James Brown rocks big time! How are you Ronie - is it snowing where you live? It is where Paula and Nan are, but my geography of the United States is awful!

Stephen Dell'Aria said...

The godfather of soul. Nice painting.

Kaili Ittensohn said...

Ronnie, you are so clever, and I love how you show your process and explain your technique, I might be learning something!

David Ebright said...

Ronnie - I'm not gettin' how you transfer from the vellum to the canvas.... I must be a total dunce.

Nice job - looks like JB for sure.

Ronnie said...

Hey Dave,
I am so low tech! I just redraw my lines on the back with chalk in this instance since it was a black background. Then lay the paper back on the canvas and redraw again. Like magic the chalk on the back acts like carbon paper and leaves the image for me. I use vellum or tracing paper so I can see through it and place it right.
I loved the story about your friend.
I have been trying to read so many blogs with good intentions of revisiting to add my comments.
I'll be baaaack!

Susan said...

Oh, how very cool. I've never known anyone that saw James. I saw the King, but not the Godfather. This is such a wonderful piece, they will love it. BTW, so glad you liked Minnie. Take care, Susan

David Ebright said...

Off topic - but I saw your comment on Becky's blog about the snow & your grandson - You did 'splain to Ben to only eat the white snow I hope.

Thanks for explaining the vellum/chalk thing - I was confused. Not that I can do any of this stuff, I just have this annoying habit of tryin' to figure out the how'dtheydosdatstuff?

I'm trying to covince Deb to get involved with this etsy stuff for her photography. She has a fantastic gift & I'm hoping she will step out of the shadows with it & build her confidence. You would like her - she is a total sweetheart.

Have a great day.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

AWESOME!
Now you've got me singing that song!
Incredible job!

Anne said...

Hi, Ronnie! This is fabulous! I love it! You really did a great job with James' likeness. And I love the bling in his eye. Every bit of this is spot-on perfect! :-)

Renee said...

So fantastic, you should send a copy of that to Lisa, I think she is his biggest fan.

xoxoxo

Unknown said...

Ronnie- YES you ofcohave my permission to copy some of my work. All I ask is that my name and contact details appear somewhere on the copy...I am so glad you have asked, you have made my day beautiful lady xxx

Jess said...

Hi Ronnie, who can fail to feel good when they hear this song?! Thanks for visiting my blog, it's good to meet you. :)x

Kristen said...

love this!!! :) see ya at the hatch market :)

XUE said...

I'm not into James Brown but I do love reading yr post & about yr work!

studio lolo said...

Holy Soul music!! This is great!

I used to play his albums all the time. For a while I was hooked on the song "This is a man's world."

How can you not move to his music??
The man was a genius!

Chicken Lips said...

Hi Ronnie - thanks for stopping by my blog. I LOVE your art. So creative!

Lisa Gatz said...

Ronnie! that is SO SO Cool! I could just hear James scream over it!

And you have given me an idea for my best friend's birthday present because she is so into records (yes even her vinyl, still)

I love this and what you did with it. Thumbs WAY up!

Lisa Gatz said...

and BTW, thanks for your road trip stories on my blog: they had me laughing! It was completely something that I would have done with the gas nozzle. :-)

Renee said...

Ronnie, sending you kisses xxx and hugs ooo from one of your biggest fans.

Love Renee

PeachyCheek said...

Hi Ronnie!

I hope all is well. Everything looks so wonderful (like always) The James Brown and Texas paintings look amazing!!! I love your blog and following your art! I hope the little kitty is doing well (the ornament that is ;))

Leslie Rubio said...

I absolutely love it Ronnie! What a great find on the circular canvas and you really did that canvas up right! James Brown is a favorite of mine too-I feel good! How neat that you got to see him in his youth and yours too in concert. That must have been fantastic!

xoxo,
Leslie

Anonymous said...

This is fabulous Ronnie! I'm glad to have found your work too..!

PJHornbergerFolkArtist.com said...

It is him! Good Gawd I loved him. Had all his records, he made me dance! A religious experience for sure. Love this, Ronnie. You so good. ~PJ

Lisa Gatz said...

Hi ronnie,

Thanks for the comments on my blog. I actually feel like I don't get much done at all! I wish there were a vitamin pack that would give me more energy but my life is stressful.

Which is why I like to act crazy when I can!

Hugs.
Lisa

Sandy Mastroni said...

wow .... just WOW
it's SO good

snippetgirl said...

Sooooo super duper cool! Love your work!
And "Biddy Brain" is the BEST name...makes me smile.
Kindest wishes,
Carrie the SnipPet Girl