Bakotopia

All > Rants & Raves
The Local Heart of Art
Topics: Bakersfield, Bakotopia, Bakotopia.com, art, Stevie Varin, Chad Dupraw, Audrey Jarvis, Lisa Small, Malori Musselman, Helen Acosta
Posted by Chase Mon May 19, 2008 16:18:32 PDT
Viewed 237 times
0 responses 7 comments

The Local Heart of Art
Discovering life through the eyes of Bakersfield’s local creative minds. Feel their art!

By Chase Brockett, Bakotopia staff

It certainly takes a little bit of investigative work - and some hard time away from your incessant Web surfing - to discover that Bakersfield is teeming with artistic talent.

For the first time in my 21 years of living in this town I have become aware of the multitude of local art galleries and other bits of culture that I was almost positive Bakersfield was allergic to. This is why I found it necessary to put the word out for local artists to get their work featured in this issue. The response has been overwhelming. You don’t have to be the “artsy” type to appreciate art.

It isn’t about sipping champagne and having bored conversation about multi-colored shapes on a wall.

Art is about the expression of human life that moves you in any number of ways - and Bakersfield is proving strong in doing so.

You’re about to meet a few artists making waves in the local scene - each with their own unique vision.

To experience some of these and much more, check out First Friday downtown at 19th and Eye streets on the first Friday of every month between 5 and 8 p.m. for art displays, pasta on the patio at the Spotlight Café and much much more.

Stevie Varin
“I’ve been studying art for as long as I can remember. When everyone else was doing after school sports and music lessons, I was taking art classes with a local artist who had a gallery and a custom framing shop. In school I always took the art electives, and when I was in college I was doing architecture and art history. Now, besides apprenticing to be a tattoo artist at Sacred Gypsy, I just draw or paint whenever I can. Recently I’ve been doing a lot of charcoal portraits and paintings on tote bags. So if you want one, just ask!”
 

Above: Charcoal on paper.

Audrey Jarvis
“I’ve been drawing for as long I could hold a pencil, crayon, or anything else that would leave a mark. With the birth of my daughter everything I saw in her began to work itself into my art. My lines became free moving, the use of bright bold colors, and the harmony that I felt with her. She has helped me to paint in a new way I can connect emotionally with my work.

From the day she was born I have painted a small piece of her into every canvas I touch. As an artist I truly want to bring my inner world into a shared view with anyone who cares to look.” 

   

Lisa Small
“The impression the world makes upon me has delivered my visions and thoughts I wish to show you. It is not my paintings that are beautiful and strange, but the dark romanticism and irony in the world we live in. As I lay out my inner soul and darkest secrets before you, I pray you see not me, but yourself within them.”


Above left: “Self Portrait” - A self portrait by Lisa Small, she adds a bit of her personality with a flower wreath and fairy wings.

Above right: “Spirit of Nature”- An Abstract painting with foliage seemingly twisting and growing, developing into new designs. This painting represents the spirit of nature.

Chad Dupraw
“I just love all kinds of art. I believe the most important aspect of art is invoking emotion, even if it’s your own. I’ve always tried to show people that everyone can create and that’s set me on the road to becoming a teacher. Even though it may not be in some mind-blowing way, by showing people things they have never seen or telling them about things they haven’t heard of, I’ve done something to help that person develop character and something to help out our little ‘global community.’ The arts make me happy. I want to share that with people.”


Above: The octopus and the fairy are done in illustrator, hand drawn first then taken into the computer and drawn again with those tools and touched up.

***To all of you who didn’t make this round, you can still share it with us on Bakotopia.com. Create a profile and upload your works into the Snap! Photo gallery. And keep an eye out, there will be more issues to come!

Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine 4-15-08, issue 28

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation

Comment From: soulajarmusic

Some really impressive stuff on here. Soulajar is still seeking to get in contact with Bakersfield area painters, particularly those using the acrylic medium. If you are one, or know of one, get in touch w/ us and we'll take it from there. aumstudiobakersfield@yahoo.com 661-331-5081 (Brian) Thanks! Soulajar Comment From: theundergroundgalleryandstudio

What you have done with this issue is so great!! I don't think that everyone in town is aware of what is here in our beautiful city. The amount of talented people is truly amazing!!! All of those artists are really great. And, everyone is welcome to come and join our gallery. We are open to any and all local artists. We also want to show Bakersfield the true talent that exists here!!! Comment From: Dreamfusion

Thank you so much for using some of my work in this article! It's wonderful that more people will see that art is thriving in Bakersfield and there are quite a few people who are going to work their hardest to keep it in place and growing strong! -Audrey. Comment From: sistersheree

Nicely done! I enjoy all your efforts. Great art work chosen for this project. Have not seen body art since the 60's! Comment From: Malface

Choosing my art as the cover means a lot to me. You guys did a great job making this article both beautiful and interesting. Great artists and great articles?! Comment From: AnnieLWhite

boobies. (lol) i like art. its fun. but i dont find art moving. but i know some men will find the boobie art moving. Comment From: jenraven

WOOT for artwork! Great story! :)