|
“Jazzin Over the St. Johns River" Artist's comments listed below. |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
The fact that the City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events has chosen my art work for the 2007 Jacksonville Jazz Festival has given me many happy moments to celebrate. I am a native of Charleston, South Carolina, but I moved to Jacksonville on the same day the toll bridge was torn down seventeen years ago. I consider Jacksonville my home. Thank you for honoring my art and giving me this wonderful opportunity to become more active in our community.
To make this poster a success, I knew it had to be colorful, all about jazz, and show lots of Jacksonville's flair. The downtown skyline was a perfect backdrop for musicians playing their instruments as colorful reflections of stars and musical notes dance down the St. Johns River to the beat of music under the Florida palms.
I learned at the beginning of my art career that I needed to paint what inspired and gave me great joy. I come from a talented family who appreciates music and art. I have fond memories of my grandfather playing the harmonica, my uncle playing the guitar, my Mom playing the piano, and all of us singing merrily at family gatherings. The favorite song was and still is "The More We Get Together the Happier We'll Be". At the age of seventy-two, my Mom still brings her accordion, tap shoes, and a bag of tambourines to every major family event. Music brings happiness, and I enjoy capturing that expressive mood on canvas.
It takes many years of patience, studying, and practicing to become a successful artist. It is a never-ending process, but a very enjoyable and rewarding one. Winning this poster contest has proven to me that I am succeeding as an artist and that the more I strive to become a better artist the Happier I Will Be.
|
