By Jim Draper

27 July 2007

8 Comments

I think someone got their feelings hurt….
Seems he thinks that none of our work is intellectual? How bout that?
Makes me wonder how intellectual palm tree paintings are? Makes me wonder how seeing the same subject matter for the last few decades pushes the envelope in any nature and helps educate others about contemporary art.

Sure you can make a good living, but are you doing anything to open minds in a city that needs a reality check? Last time I checked it was 2007. And Jim we do look at contemporary art books. We have lived in New York, LA, and San Fran. And there aren’t any palm tree paintings showing there anymore? You might want to go check it out.

Check out Jim Draper’s post in response to this post:
http://jaxcal.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-see-you.html
that he put on www.CreateJacksonville.com.
…………………….

Interesting approach. What do you mean by contemporary art? I think that maybe it is time to read a book or two or a few magazines if you want to be involved in the larger art world. Remember, nobody really gives a shit about Local Jacksonville Art. Without an intellectual component you would be laughed out of Atlanta, LA, Chicago, Miami or anywhere. Why not focus on bringing in some people and ideas that are not bound tightly by your on sphincter. “Contemporary” as it refers to art is temporal, not limitedto subject matter and style. “Funky-dunky-pseudo-hipster-derivative”is a style (apparently a movement).Without someone who matters, on a national or international level, looking at what you do, you becomejust a few more pieces of flotsam andjetsam in the backwaters of theinternational art scene. Just be aware that posting sentences like”The landscapes, palm trees, and fishpaintings have had their day in the sun.” doesn’t really do your cause any good.jim draper 07.27.07 - 9:23 am #

8 Comments »

Mark Creegan said:

Fitting I was just listening to the muppets reading this, because my first response- moving right along.

- 27 July 2007 at 5:22 pm

Byron said:

Not all landscapes, fish, Palm Tree paintings are not contemporary. I just wanted to clarify?

It’s all about execution. Is it new? If you can paint that subject matter in a way it’s never been done before then you are a true revolutionary in my book.

Just my take on it.

- 27 July 2007 at 5:49 pm

CREATEjacksonville said:

i have started what i hope is a conversation with jim in the comment section of the post on createjacksonville.
anyone who would like to join me in this is welcome to.

http://www.createjacksonville.com

- 27 July 2007 at 5:53 pm

Pedestrian Projects said:

Brittni,

be right there! no one can argue that the power is in the absolute quantity of palm tree paintings sold. believe me i know and am a believer. i hope with all art historical reference in perspective that jim draper’s palm tree paintings are a phenomenon and on of national scope. it is easy to say hey arent those paintings irrelevant, silly little paintings when you know nothing about it and havent been involved. take it from me, they are serious, nicely done and the phenomenon is the money they take to the bank. i am not sure deKooning would go a differnt route. keep it up Jim!! just stick your fingers in your ears and sing the la la song as you paint your million dollars.

- 27 July 2007 at 8:43 pm

Pedestrian Projects said:

that last comment almost didnt make sense
but you know what i am saying……………….

- 27 July 2007 at 8:44 pm

CREATEjacksonville said:

steve-
i am not sure that i understand your comment.

but…
i have never said anything negative about jim or landscape paintings, etc on createjacksonville. the post on cj was an excerpt from a post that was on jaxcal. i did not make that statement.

just wanted to clear that up

- 27 July 2007 at 10:16 pm

Jaime Verde said:

If everyone did what Jim does, then Jim would not be the special man he knows, and we know, he is. I for one am comforted that he feels he needs to deride the whippersnappers that will inherit the future in order to distinguish himself in an increasingly competitive art market where he has to contend with all that funky and dunky stuff.

I’m with you Jim. There are too many kids doing the funky dunky. (See by most recent blog post)

But hey- just don’t mistake ALL of us for those kids. Some of us have day jobs, kids and mortgages. We may do stuff that you have no respect for, but that doesn’t in any way mean it is funky or dunky. I’m offended that he would lump me in with all those kids.

And I not only read contemporary art mags, I WRITE for some on occasion. Since Jim likes writing so much, perhaps he can elaborate on his feelings in a more formal publication.

Personally, I would be more disappointed if Jim had said nothing at all.

- 27 July 2007 at 10:45 pm

SharlaTV said:

I’m glad to see this exchange. Whenever one is willing to take a stand, there will be apposing forces. Right out of school I was handed a nonprofit art org to run (I had no experience) by a group of elder painters. They were tired you see and they handed it all over to us youngsters. They were very supportive until the first juried exhibition in which they were not selected. They jumped ship swearing never to return. Yet, it was a great experience. For several years we had a big space and regular exhibitions (about 10 a year) and artists were free to do installation work. We sold very little and the funds eventually ran out. Grants written to the cultural council were pretty much scoffed at. We got discouraged and gave up. Looking back… I don’t know if I couldv’e done anything differently. I really believed in what we were. Now I believe things have changed. I feel given a similar situation today, we’d be better recieved by the cultural council and funding could be obtained. I want to continue encouraging these ideas even if at some point, I am left out or juried out or scoffed at. In fact, I think if you are an artist and you haven’t been scoffed at… you’re not doing your job. I ramble and digress, I know. Love you JIM!

- 27 July 2007 at 11:41 pm